Heatwave set to hit London and the South East with temperatures expected to soar to 36C

The sun sets behind skyscrapers on the London skyline, including (from left to right) St Paul's Cathedral, 20 Fenchurch Street (also known as the Walkie Talkie), Tower 42, the Leadenhall Building and 30 St Mary Axe (also known as the Gherkin).
The sun sets behind skyscrapers on the London skyline

Parts of London and the South East are set for a scorching weekend with temperatures expected to climb above 30C.

The Met Office said there would be a warm spell across the UK "but at the moment this hot weather will be focused in the south-east of England."

The sun sets behind the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, in London

These high temperatures are the result of southerly winds moving from Europe and high pressure patterns that are set to kick in from around Thursday.

These high temperatures could trigger some thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday.

  • It comes after temperatures reached 37.8C at London’s Heathrow Airport at 2.41pm and also reached 37.3C (99.1F) at Kew Gardens, in west London on Friday

  • Last week the UK saw the third hottest day ever recorded in the UK

  • The highest ever UK temperature, 38.7C, was recorded in Cambridge University Botanic Garden on July 25 2019

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