Friday has been the hottest day of the year so far, the Met Office confirmed, with a temperature of 31.2C recorded at Heathrow Airport.
The previous record high for 2024 was 30.5C in Wisley, Surrey, on June 26.
The Met Office said the temperature on Friday could increase further, and it is likely to remain very warm overnight.
A sunbather used his T-shirt to protect his head during high temperatures in London (Lucy North/PA)
But things will begin to cool down over the weekend and there could be thunderstorms overnight into Saturday.
Saturday’s highest temperature will be 28 or 29C, with the warmest spells likely to be seen in the east and south-east of England.
On Sunday the weather will have a cooler, fresher feel to it, but it will still be warm and mostly dry.
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The Met Office said: “We could see some very heavy bursts of rain as the day (Saturday) progresses, with the potential for thunderstorms in eastern England on Saturday afternoon into evening.
“Some heavy rainfall in narrow corridors across the north-western half of the UK is also likely on Saturday night into early Sunday.”