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Weather: UK sizzles as temperatures expected to reach 36C Weather: UK sizzles as temperatures reach 36C
(about 1 hour later)
The UK is set for one of the hottest days of the year, with forecasters predicting temperatures could reach a sizzling 36C (96.8F) in south-east England. The UK is set for one of its hottest days on record, as temperatures reached more than 36C (96.8F) in south-east England.
By 13:00 BST, the mercury reached more than 33C at London's Heathrow Airport.
Crowds have headed to the coast to enjoy the weather, but people have been urged to adhere to social distancing.Crowds have headed to the coast to enjoy the weather, but people have been urged to adhere to social distancing.
Warm weather will continue over the weekend for much of the UK, according to the Met Office.Warm weather will continue over the weekend for much of the UK, according to the Met Office.
The highest temperatures are expected in England and Wales on Friday, with fresher weather forecast for Scotland and Northern Ireland, the Met Office tweeted. The highest temperatures are expected in England and Wales, with fresher weather forecast for Scotland and NI.
As of 13:00 BST, temperatures had reached highs of 33.5C in England (Heathrow), 26.4C in Wales (Usk), 23.5C in Scotland (Charterhall, Scottish Borders), and 20.9C in Northern Ireland (Katesbridge), BBC Weather said. A band of rain will move across Scotland and Northern Ireland on Friday afternoon, the Met Office tweeted.
A high of 36C is expected by mid to late afternoon in the south-east of England. As of 15:00 BST on Friday, the mercury reached 36.3C at London's Heathrow Airport. Only five August days on record have been hotter, BBC Weather said.
Earlier, a high of 26.4C was recorded in Wales (Usk), 23.5C in Scotland (Charterhall, Scottish Borders), and 20.9C in Northern Ireland (Katesbridge).
The sweltering temperatures come just one week after the UK recorded a yearly high of 37.8C at Heathrow.The sweltering temperatures come just one week after the UK recorded a yearly high of 37.8C at Heathrow.
Councils responsible for beaches are asking visitors to follow coronavirus social distancing guidelines, and stay clear of packed beaches. Tropical nights
Warm temperatures are also expected overnight, with a number of so-called tropical nights - when temperatures stay above 20C - forecast for the coming days.
Such nights used to be rare. Between 1961 and 1990 there were just eight nights that exceeded that mark.
But the mercury is predicted to stay between 19 and 22C in some areas until next Wednesday night, meaning people in the UK could be facing difficult sleeping conditions for several nights to come.
The increasing number of tropical nights is linked to climate change, according to BBC Weather.
And meteorologists have previously said they expect to see more as the climate continues to warm.
Meanwhile, councils responsible for beaches are asking visitors to follow coronavirus social distancing guidelines, and stay clear of packed beaches.
In Dorset, beach-goers have been told to "head home" as resorts and car parks in some areas are already full.In Dorset, beach-goers have been told to "head home" as resorts and car parks in some areas are already full.
And Thanet District Council in Kent - which warned last month that busy beaches were becoming unmanageable - has asked visitors to look for less crowded areas so they can socially distance.And Thanet District Council in Kent - which warned last month that busy beaches were becoming unmanageable - has asked visitors to look for less crowded areas so they can socially distance.
Meanwhile, the RNLI has called on beachgoers in the south west of England to follow water safety advice and adhere to social distancing.Meanwhile, the RNLI has called on beachgoers in the south west of England to follow water safety advice and adhere to social distancing.
Last week, the charity carried out 30 rescues in one day on just one beach in Cornwall.Last week, the charity carried out 30 rescues in one day on just one beach in Cornwall.
The incidents mainly involved bathers and body boarders caught in rip currents, going out of their depth and being cut off by the incoming tide.The incidents mainly involved bathers and body boarders caught in rip currents, going out of their depth and being cut off by the incoming tide.
Kitty Norman, water safety delivery support at the RNLI, said beaches across the whole of the South West were "extremely busy" with locals holidaying at home this year as well as an influx of visitors.Kitty Norman, water safety delivery support at the RNLI, said beaches across the whole of the South West were "extremely busy" with locals holidaying at home this year as well as an influx of visitors.
She said: "The sheer volume of people making social distancing tricky is one thing to be conscious of before planning your trip to the beach.She said: "The sheer volume of people making social distancing tricky is one thing to be conscious of before planning your trip to the beach.
"You might choose to visit the beach at a quieter time of day, or choose a beach with more space, where you can still bathe between the flagged area but spread out further when setting up camp for the day."You might choose to visit the beach at a quieter time of day, or choose a beach with more space, where you can still bathe between the flagged area but spread out further when setting up camp for the day.
"If you arrive at the beach and it is simply too crowded, consider moving on and spending your day elsewhere.""If you arrive at the beach and it is simply too crowded, consider moving on and spending your day elsewhere."
She also asked people to respect a two-metre distance when approaching lifeguards.She also asked people to respect a two-metre distance when approaching lifeguards.
UK's hottest temperatures on recordUK's hottest temperatures on record
38.7C - Cambridge Royal Botanic Gardens, 25 July 201938.7C - Cambridge Royal Botanic Gardens, 25 July 2019
38.5C - Faversham, 10 August 200338.5C - Faversham, 10 August 2003
37.8C - Heathrow, 31 July 202037.8C - Heathrow, 31 July 2020
37.1C - Cheltenham, 3 August 199037.1C - Cheltenham, 3 August 1990
36.7C - Heathrow, 1 July 201536.7C - Heathrow, 1 July 2015
The Met Office has warned that climate change driven by industrial society is having an increasing impact on the UK's weather. Last week, the Met Office warned that climate change driven by industrial society is having an increasing impact on the UK's weather.
Its annual UK report confirmed that 2019 was the 12th warmest year in a series from 1884, and described the year as remarkable for high temperature records in the UK.Its annual UK report confirmed that 2019 was the 12th warmest year in a series from 1884, and described the year as remarkable for high temperature records in the UK.