Summery solstice...heatwave spreads across the country

solstice spreads

- By Stephen Beech

THE longest day of the year is set to be another scorcher with sun lovers making the most of a sizzling start to the weekend.

The hot weather pushed north yesterday with temperatures nearing 30C in Newcastle and Northumberland - making it the region's hottest day since July 2022.

Scotland also enjoyed a 2025 high, with 27.7C being recorded at Aviemore in the Highlands.

But London saw the UK's highest temperature for a second day in a row with Heathrow reaching 30.8C - not far below the year's high of 32.2C at Kew on Thursday.

The capital declared an official heatwave yesterday after enjoying temperatures above 28C for three days in a row - a day after Suffolk hit its required 27C minimum for three consecutive days.

Many more regions were yesterday expected to meet the criteria for a heatwave, which means a temperature threshold that varies by region is sustained for three consecutive days, according to the Met Office.