Friday forecast to be hottest day of year so far in England

South-eastern England is likely to see the UK’s hottest day of the year far on Friday, the Met Office has said.

Although the UK as a whole will face a mixed picture on Friday and into the weekend, eastern areas are expected to see high temperatures last into Saturday.

In its latest set of forecasts, the Met Office is also warning hayfever sufferers that pollen levels will be high on Friday in almost all areas of the UK.

Yellow heat health alerts were issued on Wednesday by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) covering the East Midlands, East England, London and the South East from Thursday to Saturday.

It warned that expected hot weather may have minor impacts on the health and social care sector.

Looking ahead to Friday, Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: “I think it’s quite likely we will see the hottest day of the year across the UK as a whole.”

The highest temperature so far in 2024 across the UK was recorded at Wisley in Surrey on June 26 (30.5C).

Mr Morgan told the PA news agency: “Tomorrow I think we will see highs of around 31C, possibly close to 32C, in eastern and south-eastern England.

“But it won’t be anywhere near as hot in Scotland or Northern Ireland and here they won’t see a new warmest day of the year.”

Predicting a “close-run thing” for a new 2024 high in Wales , Mr Morgan said: “27.8C is the highest temperature recorded this year in Wales, again on June 26, in Cardiff.

“Tomorrow’s highs in Wales are going to be around that threshold.”

Friday’s heat may last into Saturday, but only for those living in eastern areas of the UK, Mr Morgan added.