Brits are set for a weekend scorcher that will see temperatures soar up to 26C in parts of the UK.
Forecasters predict the mercury will rise every day between Friday and Sunday, with the biggest heat felt in the south of England.
It comes as temperatures across Europe are set to skyrocket to record extremes, with Italy recording an extraordinary 48C and France set to hit the mid 30s over the coming days.
Closer to home, the Met Office is predicting a warm day for most of the UK but with some 'blustery, heavy showers' in the west of the country.
The driest and brightest skies will be seen in the south where temperatures could reach the mid-20s today.
And weekend forecasts are predicting even warmer weather with the mercury set to peak at 26C on Sunday in the south.
Forecaster Alex Deakin said: "Friday will be bright and breezy for the vast majority, some sunny spells around.
"A few showers but most of those are going to be across Scotland and Northern Ireland.
"Much of eastern England dry and bright with sunny spells, often cloudier across the south west with maybe some showers here.
"The main area of showers will be western Scotland initially but spreading through Northern Ireland and eastern parts of Scotland by the afternoon."
He said temperatures could reach highs of 25C in some parts of the south east on Friday.
The weekend is forecast to be a dry day for most of the UK on Saturday, with showers to the north of Scotland, and some of the highest temperatures to be felt on Sunday.
It comes after a new record temperature was recorded in Europe as dangerous wildfires swept the Continent.
The city of Syracuse, in Sicily, sizzled at an astonishing 48.8C, topping the previous 48C registered in Athens in 1977.
And Spain issued via it's weather service an extreme heat warning with expectations the hot temperatures will continue to soar.
Forecasts for Friday predict some parts of Spain will see 44C temperatures and in France some regions, including Bordeaux, will hit 35C at the weekend.
UK Weather Forecast
Today:
Plenty of dry weather in the east with some good sunny spells. Feeling warm at times here out of the brisk wind. Some showers in the west and particularly the northwest where heavy and blustery.
Tonight:
Showers in the north, likely heavy and blustery in the northwest. Elsewhere mostly dry with clear spells. Becoming cloudier later in southwest England and Wales with some mostly light rain.
Saturday:
Showers for Scotland but lighter than on previous days. Cloud and rain in southwest moving a little north then brightening up behind. Mostly dry with some sunshine in east
