The North East will be hit by sunshine and high temperatures today as some parts of the UK will be hit be hotter than Los Angeles.

Forecasters are expecting temperatures around 20C today (Friday 8) with even hotter weather to come over the weekend.

In Darlington it could reach 22C on Friday as some parts of the country will hit 28C, beating top temperatures in Marbella, Santorini and St Tropez.

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Forecasters say it will be a bright start with sunny spells today. There will be some patchy high cloud spreading across the region through the day, turning the sunshine hazy at times, but still feeling warm.

UV and pollen levels are both set to be high.

In the South East and London the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a level 2 heat-health alert warning ahead of the heatwave.

Greg Dewhurst, forecaster for the Met Office, said: “Over the course of this week, much of next week, temperatures are going to be above average and very warm locally, hot at times.”

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He added: “Over the next few days, primarily the highest temperatures will be across southern and eastern parts of the UK. But I think as we go through the weekend and into next week, the heat is likely to be across pretty much the UK.”

Here’s the hour-by-hour forecast for today, according to the Met Office:

  • 12pm – 21C, cloudy, feels like 19C
  • 1pm – 21C, sunny spells, feels like 19C
  • 2pm – 22C, sunny spells, feels like 19C
  • 3pm – 22C, sunny, feels like 19C
  • 4pm – 22C, sunny, feels like 19C
  • 5pm – 21C, sunny spells, feels like 19C
  • 6pm – 19C, cloudy, feels like 17C
  • 7pm – 18C, cloudy, feels like 16C
  • 8pm – 17C, sunny spells, feels like 16C
  • 9pm – 17C, sunny, feels like 15C
  • 10pm – 15C, feels like 14C
  • 11pm – 14C, feels like 12C

The Northern Echo: Picture: PA GraphicsPicture: PA Graphics

What will the weather be like this weekend?

Saturday (July 9) is set to be a scorcher across the region as events including the Durham Miners Gala and Chester-le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair get underway.

Read more: Chester-le-Street Steam and Vintage Fair to be held this weekend

The Met Office forecast for Saturday says it will be “a dry and fine day on Saturday with long spells of sunshine and light winds. Thin higher cloud may drift across at times, giving some hazy sunny spells. Very warm. Maximum temperature 26C.”

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