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BRITS are basking in 32C sunshine today ahead of a "hot and dry weekend" as the Met Office predicts a heatwave.

The glorious weather comes after heavy rain and wind battered the country for much of the summer.

Brits flocked to the seaside in Bournemouth
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Brits flocked to the seaside in BournemouthCredit: BNPS
Hundreds of Brits packed out the beach in Bournemouth
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Hundreds of Brits packed out the beach in BournemouthCredit: BNPS
Cops enjoyed an icecream to cool off in St James' Park, London
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Cops enjoyed an icecream to cool off in St James' Park, LondonCredit: Steve Back
One sunseeker soaked up the rays in Brighton
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One sunseeker soaked up the rays in BrightonCredit: David McHugh / Brighton Pictures
One woman enjoyed the sun in Greenwich Park, London
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One woman enjoyed the sun in Greenwich Park, LondonCredit: LNP

Parts of the country were issued with flood warnings last week with a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms put in place.

But a welcome turn in conditions could now see parts of the UK experience a heatwave, say the Met Office.

In the South East, temperatures hit 30C today as Brits enjoyed the summer sunshine.

Along the South Coast, the mercury hit 26C - while Wales is seeing highs of 27C.

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The North of England is also enjoying the warmth with temperatures hitting 25C.

With it expecting to last for the rest of the week, temperatures could even top 33C on Thursday.

Amy Bokota, meteorologist for the Met Office, said: “In total there’s 13 stations that have officially marked it [heatwave].

"As you go through the next couple of days quite a few extra will be added onto that. 32C is expected [today], 33C perhaps on Thursday, which is expected to be the peak.

"It will then be 32C right the way until Sunday for some places in the south.”

According to the Met Office, a heatwave is an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year.

The threshold for a heatwave varies by area and often develop due to a jet stream north of the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency upgraded its heat alert to amber due to the hot temperatures.

The warning covers every region of England apart from the North East, where a yellow alert is in place.

The warnings are in place from 12pm on Tuesday until 9pm on Sunday.

Ways to keep safe in the hot weather

  • Keep out of the heat, if you can
  • If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm
  • Always wear sunscreen (with SPF rating of 30), a hat and light clothes
  • Avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter
  • Have cold food and drinks
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
  • Have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes
  • Keep your living space cool by closing windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has dropped

Source: NHS 

Brits enjoyed a pint on the beach in Bournemouth
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Brits enjoyed a pint on the beach in BournemouthCredit: BNPS
The Met Office is predicting a heatwave in parts of the UK
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The Met Office is predicting a heatwave in parts of the UKCredit: MET Office
Brits swam in the sea as they soaked up the sun in Brighton
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Brits swam in the sea as they soaked up the sun in BrightonCredit: LNP
Brits soaked up the sun in Brighton
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Brits soaked up the sun in BrightonCredit: LNP
Hundreds of people flocked to the shore in Dorset today
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Hundreds of people flocked to the shore in Dorset todayCredit: ©Graham Hunt
In Brighton, sunseekers swam in the sea as they enjoyed the warm weather
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In Brighton, sunseekers swam in the sea as they enjoyed the warm weatherCredit: David McHugh / Brighton Pictures
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