Temperatures are expected to reach 30ºC next week when Kent enjoys a warmer climate than Jamaica.
Weather experts say Friday will be the “first day of hot summer” of the year.
The sun will shine for long periods next week
Mercury is expected to rise to 27 ° C by mid-next week before surpassing 30 ° C on Friday.
Heat waves are also likely in the coming months, with a meteorologist acclaiming a turning point after a disappointing start to the year.
“There haven’t been many exceptionally warm or hot days this year yet, but that will change,” Met Office Steven Keates said.
“We’re ready to see a brief warm-up period by the end of next week.”
North Kent is poised to have slightly warmer temperatures than elsewhere in the county, with Gravesend and Dartford as well as Barcelona.
Friday will be the hottest day. Image: Gary Browne
The southeast could experience temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius on Friday, though Keates added: “Maybe it could be a little warmer than that … it’s possible in the mid-1930s.”
If the prediction is accurate, Britain will be warmer than Portugal, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Canary Islands and Cyprus.
It would also mean the hottest day of the year so far, overshadowing the 27.5ºC record set in mid-May at Heathrow.
“We should get over it comfortably on Friday and potentially get over it, or get closer to it on Wednesday and Thursday as well,” Keates said.
Beach lovers can sunbathe
The meteorologist added that heat waves – three consecutive days of high temperatures – were possible between June and mid-September.
“We think it will be warmer than average at the moment with an increasing likelihood of heat waves,” he said.
“So far this year there have been no heat waves … the more likely it is that the farther south, southeast, you are.”