As the UK heatwave continues, many are starting to find the extreme weather all a bit much.
Commuters are growing weary of sweating in their cars or being pressed into packed carriages on London's Tube, gardeners fear for their wilting plants while stocks of sun tan lotion, ice cream and cold drinks can only hold out so long.
In what has been an extraordinary period for the British Isles, a hosepipe ban has come into affect in northern areas, historic foundations have reappeared in parched fields and the country has turned from green to brown on satellite maps.
Here's the latest on the situation.
Live Updates
14:10
Highways England is urging drivers not to throw rubbish from their vehicles amid a surge in grass fires near busy roads.
There have been 56 fires on grass verges next to England's motorways and major A-roads over the last 10 days, the organisation reports.
Burning temperatures and the lack of rain have made verges drier than normal and many are catching fire as a result of to items being thrown from passing vehicles like glass bottles, cigarette butts and plastic.
Highways England's emergency planning officer Frank Bird said: "Smoke from roadside fires can drift across motorways posing a hazard to drivers. We've seen an increase in fires on grass verges near some of our motorways, for example on the M42 in the Midlands.
"With the land being so dry, it often only takes a small spark to take hold. We'd urge people to avoid throwing any items from vehicles at any time, but particularly in these hot conditions."
14:06
Here's your confirmation
14:01
It is now officially the hottest day of the year!
The Met Office reports that Charlwood in Surrey has reached 33.9C.
Phew, what a scorcher!
13:16
The Circle Line on the London Underground is having a bad old morning of it, terrible news for those not overly keen on losing half their body weight in sweat. Drink plenty of water today folks.
13:13
The Indy100's Greg Evans has rounded up the very best of the hot weather memes from social media
23 people who have had enough of the heat in Britain right now
We'll be honest, us Brits are the first to complain about the weather. Either it's too hot or it's too cold and wet. Yet when the sun finally comes out everyone is more than happy to have a BBQ and indulge in some after-work drinks. However, this current heatwave is something else. For instance in London, the Met Office has forecast temperatures to rise to around 37C on Friday. Now, we like it as warm as the next person but there is warm and then there is nuclear.
13:09
At least the UK's seaside towns are enjoying a boom in visitors as a result of the heatwave
Traditional seaside towns see surge in popularity as heatwave hits UK
Southend on Sea, Margate and St Ives all see a surge in bookings
11:59
Here's the latest on the weather from The Independent's very own Harriet Agerholm.
If you are fed up with the heat, look away now...
Scorching UK heatwave set to continue into August
Temperatures will 'creep up again' after stormy weekend
11:53
Comedian Rob Beckett speaking for an entire nation here
11:38
Here's The Independent's Economics Editor Ben Chu on the possible consequences of the sweltering conditions on British business.
Will the heatwave help or hurt the UK economy?
The IndependentFigures from Nielsen released this week pointed to the strongest UK grocery sales in five years thanks to the heatwave. Separate data from the Kantar Worldpanel also showed supermarket sales spiking over the 12 weeks to the 15 July, with credit given to “the prolonged hot weather”.
11:33
What needs to happen to make this the hottest summer on record?
The warmest year on the books is still 1976 but 2018 could beat it if trends continue
11:22
The weather could be about to spoil the lunar eclipse
'There may be large areas where the sky is effectively covered by thunderclouds'
11:21
Heat-related deaths will treble by 2050 unless government takes urgent action, warn MPs
Extreme temperatures set to kill 7,000 every year as incredibly hot summers become normal
10:27
Can we expect lots more heatwaves in the future and is this the new normal?
Here's The Independent's Science Correspondent Josh Gabbatis to answer these ominous questions.
09:45
Britain's bookmakers have cut the odds on the country's all-time highest temperature of 38.5C being surpassed this summer from 4/1 to odds-on 10/11 following the so-called "Mediterranean Melt".
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said: "There’s nothing that Brits look forward to more than news of a good old heatwave and bookies are going one further claiming there’s a 53% chance of recording the highest ever temperature."
09:38
Here's the latest from the Met Office this morning:
09:33
Welcome to The Independent's rolling coverage of the apparently never-ending summer heatwave!
The grass is drier than the Serengeti, commuting is a nightmare and winter coats are but a distant memory.
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