What is the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK?

The UK could see record-breaking weather this week with the mercury set to soar into the high thirties in some parts by Friday and into the weekend.

The scorching sunshine comes a week after temperatures hit 37.8C in London on July 31 - marking the hottest day of the year so far and the third warmest on record.

According to the Met Office, the mercury could climb just as high again tomorrow, with the South East likely to be the warmest part of the country.

Elsewhere, central, southern and northern regions are expected to see temperatures hover around 30C on Friday.

So, ahead of the anticipated heatwave, let's take a look at the UK's weather records to date:

What is the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK?

The warmest day ever recorded in the UK was July 25, 2019, when the mercury hit 38.7C in Cambridge.

The reading, taken at Cambridge University Botanic Garden, just edged the previous UK record of 38.5C which was recorded near Faversham, in Kent, on August 10, 2003.

Wales's warmest temperature on record is 35.2C. The reading was taken on August 2, 1990, in Flintshire.

In Scotland, the hottest day on record was August 9, 2003, when the temperature reached 32.9C in Greycrook, in the Scottish Borders.

In Northern Ireland, temperatures have twice reached a record high mark of 30.8C - on June 30, 1976, in County Fermanagh, and on July 12, 1983, in County Antrim.

What is the highest temperature recorded so far this year?

The hottest day of the year so far was July 31, when the mercury soared to 37.8C at Heathrow Airport.

The temperature also marked the third hottest UK day on record, and came as the Met Office warned climate change was exerting an “increasing impact” on the UK, with data showing an “undeniable warming trend”.

What is the hottest day on record in London?

The hottest day ever recorded in London was this July 31, when the mercury soared to 37.8C at Heathrow Airport, in London.

What is the hottest day on record in August?

The hottest August day recorded in the UK was August 10, 2003, when the mercury hit 38.5C near Faversham, Kent.