As temperatures reach a scorching 25°C today, the UK is poised to enjoy the hottest weather of the year so far, surpassing even the temperatures in popular holiday

destinations like Lanzarote and Barcelona.

This heatwave follows a balmy bank holiday weekend where thermometers peaked at 21°C, enticing Britons to flock to beaches, parks, and lochs to bask in the warmth and take refreshing dips in the water.

The Met Office predicts that the settled dry and sunny conditions will persist for at least the next ten days, coinciding with the official arrival of summer tomorrow.

While temperatures are expected to remain consistently above average, they may not meet the criteria for an official heatwave. Nevertheless, Sunday saw Plymouth break Saturday's record with a high of 24.4°C.

Today, Scotland will experience higher temperatures, reaching 25°C, surpassing hotspots such as Faro in Portugal, Los Angeles in California, Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and even Madrid, the capital of Spain.

According to Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud, the warmest spot today will likely be in western Scotland, while eastern areas may experience slightly disappointing temperatures in the mid-to-high teens.

Stroud also mentioned that the dry spell is expected to continue for the next ten days or so, with above-average temperatures for western Scotland. Although temperatures may subside slightly towards the middle and end of the week, the overall outlook suggests an extended period of dry and settled weather.

May has been particularly dry, with rainfall amounts just slightly exceeding half of the normal levels. The Met Office's long-term outlook for June indicates a possible north/south split in terms of dry conditions, with northern areas more likely to remain dry, while the South could experience slightly wetter conditions than average. Nonetheless, temperatures are expected to remain above average across the country.

In the midst of these dry and hot conditions, firefighters have been battling a wildfire at Kerrow Farm in Ross-shire since Sunday, with multiple wildfires breaking out across the Highlands in recent days, as reported by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

As Britain braces for the hottest day of the year, it's essential to stay mindful of the heat and take necessary precautions to ensure personal well-being and the prevention of wildfires. Enjoy the sunshine responsibly and make the most of the beautiful weather while it lasts. Photo by William M. Connolley at the English-language Wikipedia.