Britain is set to experience scorching highs of 27C by the end of July.
A blast of hot weather is set to strike the UK by the end of the month with temperatures set to climb close to 30C.
A weather pattern known as an ‘Iberian Plume’ or ‘Spanish Plume’ will sweep across the UK, turning maps red.
The setup also brings increased risk of thunderstorms as the rising warmth fuels storm development.
The south of the country will enjoy the hottest temperatures, with highs of up to 27C forecast from Southampton to Cambridge.
As early as Friday, the heat wave is predicted to sweep the south coast, with warmer than average temperatures forecast for most of the country.
The heat is set to stay right up to the end of the month as, looking ahead to July 28, scorching highs of 27C continue to dominate long range forecasts.
The weather will be slightly cooler further north with highs of 19C forecast between Manchester and Newcastle.
In Scotland, temperatures will peak at 22C around Aberdeen.
The Met Office has forecast cooler temperatures in the west of the UK, which will likely miss out on the best of the summer heat wave.
The heat spike is triggered by warmer air moving upwards and across the UK from Spain.
With the warmth comes a greater chance of stormy conditions.
The Met Office has so far reported only a “small chance of unsettled weather”, meaning the risk of thunderstorms remains low for the time being.
From July 29, the Met Office predicted overall drier and warmer than average conditions lasting through to mid August.
Met Office five-day forecast
Today:
Showery rain moving northeastwards across England and Wales, turning heavy and perhaps thundery at times. Sunny spells across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, but a few slow-moving showers developing here. Feeling warmer in any sunny spells.
Tonight:
Showers in the north tending to fade as clear spells develop. Cloud and rain will continue to affect much England and Wales, but this becoming increasingly fragmented later.
Tuesday:
Rain across parts of England and Wales clearing east during the morning. Sunny spells and scattered showers follow for many, these heavy in places. Breezier in the south and east.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Some dry weather on Wednesday, though outbreaks of rain and stronger winds moves in from the west for Thursday with drier conditions following later and during Friday.