Roads melt as heatwave sets in - and Saturday to be hottest day since 2006

Britain's sizzling temperatures are set continue with a vengeance at the weekend - with Saturday predicted to be the hottest day since 2006.

And it's not just skin that's sizzling in the sun. Roads in some part of the country are melting in the scorching temperatures. The Daily Mail reports that the streets of Shepton Mallet in Somerset started to liquefy this week because of the heat, while a busy swing bridge near Trafford Park in Manchester became jammed after its metal framework expanded in the heat.

Although temperatures in some parts of the UK dipped briefly mid-week, they're set to climb again. Leon Brown, meteorologist at The Weather Channel, told Aol Travel: "We expect this Saturday to be the hottest day of the year in southern Britain with temperatures reaching 30 to 32C in southern England.

"If the temperature gets above 31.7C it will be the highest since 2006 when Wisley in Surrey reached 36.5C on the 19th, the current July UK record."

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Leon added that a slightly fresher couple of days for the south and east of the UK mid-week is thanks to the cold spring and consequent cold North Sea, which is still several degrees below normal.

But the weather will heat up again for Friday with temperatures back to the high 20s again with the hot spots along the Vale of York in north east England approaching 29C or even 30C.

However, that the increasing temperatures could bring stormy weather: "The high temperatures may trigger a few thunder showers on Saturday afternoon over Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and perhaps even Nottinghamshire with a 30 per cent risk at Trent Bridge and the Ashes cricket match."

PA

The good news is that the heatwave could last until August. Leon added: "Next week stays hot in the south with temperatures in the mid to high 20s, but not quite as high as this Saturday."

Sarah Holland, spokeswoman for the Met Office, also confirmed the hot weather we have seen across the UK is set to continue over the weekend.

She told Aol Travel: "Saturday will be the hottest day of the year with temperatures into the low 30s in parts of the south east. Elsewhere temperatures will be into the high 20s."

She added that the Met Office has issued a Level 2 Heat Health Alert for parts of England for Friday and into the weekend. High levels of UV are also expected across England.

Steve Willington, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office said: "Many parts of the UK will continue to see very high temperatures as we head over the weekend.

"We are expecting the hottest day of the year on Saturday with temperatures likely to reach over 30°C in parts of the south east. With strong UV levels for many areas as well it is important for people to keep up to date with our forecasts over the next few days."

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