UK weather: Britain to bask in 34C temps on longest day of the year as thousands meet at Stonehenge for summer solstice
Thousands of people headed out early this morning to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge in celebration of the summer solstice.
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Those who marked the year's longest day elsewhere experienced 18C temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London by 5am, according to the Met Office.
The weather agency also confirmed that Yeovilton in Somerset and Crosby in Merseyside had the highest recorded overnight figures in England, both reaching 19.7C by 6am.
The mercury in Cumbria and Lancashire also reached highs above 19C.
Beaches, parks and pubs across the country will be packed as revellers look to lap up the sunshine and make the most of the warm weather.
But an amber heat-health alert for all regions in England remains in place for the weekend.
And, the Met Office has also warned of thunderstorms across northern parts of England today.
A yellow thunderstorm weather warning is in place from Nottingham up to above Newcastle.
It will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday.
The Met Office warned there could be "frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds", along with a chance of flooding.
Parts of eastern England could climb higher than the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far.
Ireland to sizzle in 24C heat as heatwave arrives and Met Eireann reveal hottest areas
Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "There are scattered thunderstorms coming through.
"Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while.
"Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues.
"You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded."
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK.
Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west.
"Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England."
Steve Cole, policy director at RoSPA, said: "Heat is no longer just a holiday perk - it's a growing public health risk.
"We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities.
"Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip.
"While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold-water shock, even in summer."
Over the last few days, Brits have flocked to the seaside and rivers so they can take a quick dip to cool off.
Others have been spotted sunbathing in parks instead and making the most of their lunch breaks.
It comes as an amber heat health alert was been issued for the whole of England from 12pm on Thursday until 9am on Monday.
The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures.
One Royal Ascot spectator was taken to hospital on Thursday, with 42 others given medical attention on site for heat-related illness during the prestigious horse racing event.
The UK's June temperature record stands at 35.6C, which was set in Southampton in 1976.
Current forecasts suggest the record is unlikely to be broken this time - but it will come close.
A warning against wildfires has also been issued by the Fire Brigade, as firefighters have responded to more than 500 across England and Wales this year so far.
Five day weather forecast
Today
A warm, bright start but turning cloudier from the south through the morning. Scattered, showers spread across the southwest, moving northeastwards by the afternoon bringing a risk of heavy showers, thunderstorms, and hail to northern England and Wales later.
Tonight
Heavy showers and thunderstorms in the north gradually clear overnight. Mostly dry with clear spells elsewhere, although further heavy showers in the northwest by dawn. Feeling fresher in the west.
Sunday
Fresher for most with breezy westerly winds bringing sunshine and scattered showers, a few thunderstorms in the northwest. Drier and brighter in the southeast but staying warm and humid here.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday
Breezy westerly winds continue to bring a mixture of sunshine and showers, these heaviest in the north and west. Near average temperatures, though feeling warm in the sunshine. Fresher nights.
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