Met Office predicts hottest day of year as 35C heatwave maps turn deep red

Britain is in the grip of another searing summer heatwave, and forecasters say today may go down as the hottest day of the year so far - with blistering highs of 35C possible in parts of the UK.

The Met Office said Saturday will bring blazing sunshine and widespread heat to almost the entire country, with dry, cloudless skies dominating the forecast. Only a few pockets of the northeast have managed to escape the intensity today, where sea fog and lingering low cloud is offering some relief. But across the map, temperatures have surged far above the seasonal average. By 6pm this evening, Cardiffand Swindon are both set for a sweltering 32C, while Newtown could sizzle at 31C and Birminghammay hit 30C. London is not far behind, predicted to reach 30C by 4pm, with many parts of southern England and Wales basking in relentless sun.

Even Scotland is due to welcome unusually high temperatures this evening, with large swathes of the Highlands and central belt climbing into the high 20s - a rare and stifling heat for the region. Fort William is forecast for highs of 28C, while Glasgow will likely hover in the mid-20s.

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The north, in contrast, is notably cooler - with Newcastle seeing a milder 22C and coastal areas in Scotland like Aberdeen and Wick struggling to get past 18C and 17C respectively.

And temperature anomaly maps show the the mercury rising well above the seasonal average both today and tomorrow.

While the Met Office has warned of a very low chance of isolated thunderstorms in Northern Ireland and parts of southern Wales, the overall picture remains one of dry and persistent heat.

Cities and towns, especially across the west, are expected to endure a muggy, uncomfortable night tonight under clear skies, while low cloud begins creeping inland across eastern England and Scotland.

Sunday will still feel very warm, though a shade cooler than today, the forecaster added. Maximum temperatures could hit 30C in the north and 32C in the south.

This is followed closely by 28C in Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton and Pembroke. Northern Ireland won't escape the heat either, with Belfast set to reach 26C.

Elsewhere, much of the country will sit comfortably in the mid-20s, though cooler sea breezes will keep temperatures along the coasts more subdued.