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Saturday starts dry in all areas. The rest of the day brings long sunny periods but there could be an odd isolated shower this afternoon. It will be one of the hottest days of the year so far, if not the hottest with temperatures in the south peaking close to 33C (91F). The coolest conditions are expected in western Scotland where maximum values are likely to be around 21C (70F).

If you are having a World Cup party or barbecue this afternoon conditions should be perfect, but check the rain and lightning radar just in case a rogue shower does pop up.

Meteo France Arpege, forecast temperatures, 17:00 BST Sat 7th July

Forecast short cuts

The month ahead - July 

Silverstone F1

Wimbledon tennis Hourly - 16 day

Tonight it remains dry with clear spells in most areas but in the far north west cloud builds. It will stay warm and n the south temperatures probably won't fall much below 21C (70F) by the morning.

Tomorrow the heatwave continues in most areas but western Scotland probably has a cooler and cloudier day with a risk of patchy rain. One or two showers could break out in northern England but elsewhere another fine day is in prospect. Temperatures in much of England and Wales will approach or exceed 30C (86F) and again there is a chance of it turning out to be the warmest day of the year so far.

GFS, forecast cloud cover, 16:00 BST Sun 8th July

Warm and dry for most next week

Computer models suggest that a belt of high pressure will stretch from the Azores northeastwards across the UK and into Scandinavia for much of next week. Early in the period temperatures ease as the warmest upper level air is pushed southwards into France. Despite that it remains dry and warm in much of the UK, but in the north patchy rain is more likely.

In the longer term things are more uncertain. In recent days computer models have been suggesting a transition to a more changeable pattern during the middle part of July. However, the signal for that has weakened in the last 24 hours and there is a possibility that any change will be limited and short lived, particularly in the southern half of the UK. If that is the case this summer could soon be challenging more records.

GFS, forecast pressure and 500hPa heights, 16:00 BST Thu 12th July

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16 day GEFS ensembles at a glance

Dry and very warm or hot weather is shown for much of the period. Beyond mid July the risk of showery rain increases. View latest GEFS.