Merseyside could see the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures set to soar to 28C in the North West say.
Thursday saw the mercury rise to a scorching 23°C - the warmest day recorded so far this year.
However today things will hot up even further with forecasters predicting Merseyside will see temperatures of 25C this afternoon.
Across Europe, hot Saharan winds have brought scorching weather with temperatures in some parts exceeding 40°C.
Meteorologists put more than half of France on alert for high temperatures, while in Germany rescue services urged people to look out for young children, the elderly and others at risk in hot conditions.
In Merseyside today the Met Office has predicted the sun will shine from morning until 9pm tonight.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: "Any early morning low cloud in the east will soon thin and clear to leave a fine, dry and warm day with plenty of strong sunshine.
"It will be a little cooler on the coast where any sea breezes develop.
"Maximum temperatures of 28 °C."
Tonight is expected to be dry with clear skies and the Met Office predicts the temperature will hold in double figures for most of the evening with a minimum of 11C.
Moving into the weekend Saturday is forecast to be even hotter with the mercury rising to 27C.
A Met Office spokesman said: "Dry, warm and sunny for most on Saturday.
"Cloudier along the coasts after midday, and a small chance of some thundery downpours developing mid afternoon onwards, mostly for Cumbria.
"Maximum temperatures of 27 °C."
Meanwhile Sunday will feel a cooler and fresher with highs of 18C.
