Britain is on course for a dramatic return to hot weather, with new maps showing temperatures soaring into the mid-30s later this month.
Weather charts indicate a widespread heat surge on June 20, with at least 17 areas in England expected to exceed 30C and some areas potentially reaching a sweltering 34C.
The latest forecast map from Netweather shows the heat blast will hit areas across southern and eastern England, where a large swathe of the country is coloured deep red as temperatures climb well above average for June.
According to the forecast, southern England could see temperatures between 31C and 34C.
The Midlands are also expected to bask in unusually hot conditions. Forecast temperatures of 30C to 31C are shown in areas around Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham and Lincolnshire.
Further north, temperatures are expected to remain lower but still warm for many. Much of northern England is forecast to reach the high 20s, with readings of 28C to 30C possible in Yorkshire and surrounding counties.
Wales is expected to see temperatures generally ranging between 25C and 28C, while Scotland and Northern Ireland are forecast to remain cooler, with highs largely in the low to mid-20s.
Areas forecast to exceed 30C include:
In its summer outlook, published on June 1, the first day of meteorological summer, the Met Office said there is an increased likelihood of warmer-than-average conditions continuing through June, July and August.
The agency added that there is "an increased chance of heatwaves and heat-related impacts" during the season.
Weather experts at MeteoGroup, which provides forecasting data for BBC Weather, have also pointed to the possibility of several intense hot spells over the coming months.
The forecaster said a "few notable high temperature spikes" could develop during summer, with above-average temperatures expected throughout June, July and August.
It added that both the UK and mainland Europe could experience "significant bursts" of heat.
The Met Office said warmer summers are becoming increasingly likely due to climate trends, with hotter-than-average conditions now around twice as likely as during the 1991-2020 climate reference period.
