UK heatwave brings late burst of summer weather with highs of 31C (88F) today as the mercury is set to climb further to 33C (91F) this week and be hotter than Ibiza and Athens

Britain is baking in a heatwave as the late burst of summer is set to bring temperatures of 31C today with the weather even hotter than in Ibiza and Athens.

Britons could swelter in the hottest temperatures of 2023 this week, beating the current record of 32.2C in June after a grey, rainy summer.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said highs tomorrow could reach 32C – and possibly even 33C in London – above average for September. 

Official heatwave criteria will likely be met in many places over the next couple of days and for much of the UK it will feel ‘very warm to hot’, Rachel Ayers, senior meteorologist, said.

Forecasters have however warned of a possible risk of thunderstorms later in the week.

And the weekend is set to become cooler, turning unsettled next week when the weather will return to September’s average temperatures. 

Sunbathing friends, Milena Strong, Aliona Petrosidou and Lucy Sand enjoy the sun

The Windsor Duck tours amphibious vehicle takes visitors down the River Thames

A paddle boarder enjoying the Autumn sunshine in Derwent Water, Keswick, Cumbria

Sunbathers pack the beach as they flock to the seaside resort of Lyme Regis in Dorset

Britons splashing in the sea as the week begins with an autumn heatwave

An aerial view of Lyme Regis yesterday as Britons bask in an autumn heatwave

Ms Ayers said: ‘On Tuesday, there will be some patchy cloud for the far southwest and later Northern Ireland with a risk of the odd shower or isolated thunderstorm. 

‘Elsewhere after any low cloud, mist and fog lifts and clears it will be dry with plenty of sunshine.

‘It will be cloudier in the far north of Scotland with the odd spot of rain and drizzle, though drier than recent days.

‘Temperatures will vary between 27 to 30C in central and southern areas, with an isolated 31C possible inland.

‘On Wednesday, mist and fog will clear once again with low cloud burning back to the coast through the morning, again leaving a very warm or hot day.

‘Again some patchy cloud in the far west and Northern Ireland. A chance of showers moving into the South West during the evening, with the  risk of an isolated thunderstorm. Temperatures will climb to 32C in central and south-east England.’

She said Thursday will be another fine day, with sunshine hazier than during previous days. Temperatures will climb to 32C in central and south-east England.

A sunseeker enjoying the heat in gardens near St Paul’s Cathedral, central London

Sunbathers enjoy the warm weather on Brighton beach as temperatures hit the high 20s

Rosa Doran, 21, and Katie Appleton, 21, splash in the sea as they enjoy the sun on Portobello Beach, Edinburgh

The forecaster continued: ‘On Friday, most places will remain fine and dry with sunny spells. 

‘Areas of cloud will limit sunshine in places, with a small chance of an isolated shower or thunderstorm, predominantly in the west.’

She said it will continue to be hot and humid but with lower cloud around some coasts and the potential for cooler air in northern parts of the country. 

But temperatures will still climb to 31C in central and south-east England.