This summer could be the hottest in 42 years with the UK heading for a two-weak heatwave with temperatures up to 91.4 F (33C).
If temperatures do climb that high, 2018 will mark the hottest summer since the 1976 heatwave brought widespread droughts to Britain.
The soaring temperatures come just in time for the start of Royal Ascot this week as The Met Office confirmed dry and hot weather across the south throughout this month and the next.
As temperatures climb to highs of 75F (24C) today in London, the West Midlands has also been enjoying warm weather, with spectacular pictures showing a world-famous rose garden exploding into a riot of colour with 700 varieties bursting into life at the same time.
Visitors admire David Austin Roses gardens in the West Midlands as British Flowers Week runs from the 18-24 June, celebrating the wealth and variety of British cut flowers and foliage
![As temperatures climb to highs of 75F (24C) today in London, the west midlands has also been enjoying warm weather, with spectacular pictures showing this world-famous rose garden exploding into a riot of colour](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F0FF00000578-5860597-image-a-61_1529411613624.jpg)
As temperatures climb to highs of 75F (24C) today in London, the west midlands has also been enjoying warm weather, with spectacular pictures showing this world-famous rose garden exploding into a riot of colour
![The west midlands garden attracts visitors from all over the world every year and includes 700 separate varieties as the nation marks a week of celebrating foliage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F51400000578-5860597-image-a-92_1529412267146.jpg)
The west midlands garden attracts visitors from all over the world every year and includes 700 separate varieties as the nation marks a week of celebrating foliage
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D68222E00000578-5860597-image-a-63_1529411634052.jpg)
Gardening legend David Austin, 92, is known as the ‘Godfather of the English Rose’, and has been creating new breeds for more than 75 years. His garden centre in Albrighton, West Midlands, attracts visitors from across the world.
With the capital enjoying today’s hottest temperatures according to the BBC, the north-west of England is and the south-west are slightly lower at 70F (21C).
![If temperatures reach the expected highs of 91.4F (33C), this summer will be the nation's hottest since 1976, when the UK was hit with droughts](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F4FF00000578-5860597-image-a-94_1529412277662.jpg)
If temperatures reach the expected highs of 91.4F (33C), this summer will be the nation’s hottest since 1976, when the UK was hit with droughts
![Passengers enjoy the view by Riddlehead today as the LMS Stanier Class 8F hauls passengers on the 'Dalesman' from Chester along the Settle to Carlisle line taking in the breathtaking views along the backbone of England through the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Pennines](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D68108400000578-5860597-image-m-99_1529412877066.jpg)
Passengers enjoy the view by Riddlehead today as the LMS Stanier Class 8F hauls passengers on the ‘Dalesman’ from Chester along the Settle to Carlisle line taking in the breathtaking views along the backbone of England through the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbrian Pennines
![Visitors are pictured enjoying the pleasant weather in the west midlands with temperatures set to soar across the country](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F53400000578-5860597-image-a-95_1529412291159.jpg)
Visitors are pictured enjoying the pleasant weather in the west midlands with temperatures set to soar across the country
The north-east varies from 61F (16C) in Hull, East Yorkshire, to 20C around Newcastle. Aberdeen will reach 64F (18C) by 4pm, but Belfast is lagging behind at 57F (14C) despite the high pressure.
Heading into tomorrow, temperatures will rise slightly in London – to 77F (25C) – and in Belfast, which will warm up to 61F (16C).
![Visitor Tatiana Schellhase admires the David Austin Roses gardens in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, June 18, 2018](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F5F400000578-5860597-image-a-84_1529412232393.jpg)
Visitor Tatiana Schellhase admires the David Austin Roses gardens in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, June 18, 2018
![British Flowers Week runs from the 18-24 June, 2018, and is an annual celebration of the wealth and variety of British cut flowers and foliage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F61C00000578-5860597-image-a-82_1529412230746.jpg)
British Flowers Week runs from the 18-24 June, 2018, and is an annual celebration of the wealth and variety of British cut flowers and foliage
![This week a nation of gardeners and flower lovers celebrates the cut flower industry, which is worth more than £2billion a year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65EF4300000578-5860597-image-a-66_1529411642506.jpg)
This week a nation of gardeners and flower lovers celebrates the cut flower industry, which is worth more than £2billion a year
A slightly cooler day is in store for the capital on Thursday, when temperatures are set to fall to 70F (21C). The north-west can expect highs of 63F (17C), with the north-east in for temperatures up to 61F (16C) and Edinburgh 63F (17C), with conditions staying the same throughout Friday.
But this weekend the heatwave will begin in earnest, with the Met Office Tweeting predicted temperatuers of up to 79F (26C) in London and across the south-east. There will be highs of up to 75F (24C) in Scotland as well as the north of England, but south-west Scotland as well as south-west England will be slightly cooler at 70F (21C).
![But this weekend the heatwave will begin in earnest, with the Met Office Tweeting predicted temperatures of up to 79F (26C) in London and across the south-east as the midlands (pictured) also experiences higher temperatures](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F06F00000578-5860597-image-a-69_1529411739627.jpg)
But this weekend the heatwave will begin in earnest, with the Met Office Tweeting predicted temperatures of up to 79F (26C) in London and across the south-east as the midlands (pictured) also experiences higher temperatures
![Hay fever sufferers were warned pollen levels are very high across much of the UK and are expected to remain so in the coming days](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65EE6300000578-5860597-image-a-71_1529411744494.jpg)
Hay fever sufferers were warned pollen levels are very high across much of the UK and are expected to remain so in the coming days
Met Office forecaster Mark Wilson told the Mirror Online that the heatwave is expected to continue over the coming fortnight: ‘Early signs are promising for later in June and July, with mainly dry and settled weather, particularly in the South, with likely very warm or hot conditions.’
Hay fever sufferers were warned pollen levels are very high across much of the UK and are expected to remain so into next week.
![Visitors are admiring David Austin Roses gardens in Wolverhampton as British Flowers Week runs from the 18-24 June](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65EF0F00000578-5860597-image-a-75_1529411755181.jpg)
Visitors are admiring David Austin Roses gardens in Wolverhampton as British Flowers Week runs from the 18-24 June
![Pollen levels are a mixture of high and very high across most of the UK, with medium levels across Scotland and the south west, Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F08600000578-5860597-image-a-80_1529411764670.jpg)
Pollen levels are a mixture of high and very high across most of the UK, with medium levels across Scotland and the south west, Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said
Current dry spells and light winds have allowed pollen to build up after perfect growing conditions in spring, the Met Office said.
On Tuesday pollen levels were a mixture of high and very high across most of the UK, with medium levels across Scotland and the south west, Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said.
He said levels in Surrey were very high, adding: ‘As we go to the weekend, particularly Saturday, we will start to see very high levels across the whole of England.’
![Pollen levels are expected to be high across the whole of England in the coming days, with today's greatest counts concentrated in Surrey](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F48D00000578-5860597-image-a-87_1529412253539.jpg)
Pollen levels are expected to be high across the whole of England in the coming days, with today’s greatest counts concentrated in Surrey
![The Met Office says perfect conditions for pollen growth at the end of spring is now making its impact felt among hay fever sufferers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/19/13/4D65F48800000578-5860597-image-a-90_1529412257195.jpg)
The Met Office says perfect conditions for pollen growth at the end of spring is now making its impact felt among hay fever sufferers
Explaining the reasons for the high levels, he said: ‘It’s a combination of two factors.’Spells of dry weather, fairly light winds if any winds, that allows the pollen levels to build up. We’re also right in the middle of the grass pollen season. We’re not at the levels of 2005-6 but it’s very high.’
He said levels were not expected to reduce until after the weekend, adding: ‘There’s no appreciable rain in the forecast up until the early part of next week anywhere in England.’
He urged hay fever sufferers to check the Met Office pollen forecast as a prompt to take medication if required.
Sufferers should also shower when they get home to avoid transferring pollen from their hair to their pillow, and avoid drinking alcohol as it can exacerbate symptoms, Mr Madge said.