Temperatures set to soar into mid-30s this week

If correct, the UK will be hotter than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and Cyprus.

It would also be the hottest day of the year so far, dwarfing the record 27.5C (81.5F) set at Heathrow in mid-May.

“We should comfortably beat that on Friday and possibly beat it or come very close on Wednesday and Thursday as well,” Keates said.

The meteorologist added that heat waves – three consecutive days of high temperatures – are possible between June and mid-September.

“We expect it to be warmer than average at the moment, with an increasing likelihood of heat waves,” he said.

“There have been no heat waves so far this year. The further south or southeast you are, the more likely it is.”