HOTTER THAN BRAZIL

WEATHER SIZZLES – LIKE OUR FOOTBALL:

BRITAIN’S beaches are set to resemble Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana this week as temperatures smash through the 30C barrier.

Yesterday was officially the hottest day of the year so far with temperatures in London’s St James’s Park peaking at 29.4C.

And this week’s sunshine could herald the warmest summer ever experienced in Britain.

Experts say the signs are pointing to a record hot spell that could beat the summer of 1976, when the mercury rose to 35.6C.

This week will go close with 33C expected in the south on Thursday. But the rest of the week will be just as glorious with daytime temperatures barely falling below 30C and muggy conditions at night too.

Soaring

Meanwhile, Brazilians will be left shivering in comparison at a mere 27C – and even facing fog.

Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: “The number to beat yesterday was 29.1C which was recorded in St James’s Park in London in April.”

The latest heatwave has surprised many weather experts as in June the mercury normally hovers around

20C in England and Wales, 18C in Northern Ireland and

16C in Scotland.

The soaring temperatures have prompted a public health warning with people being urged to check on the welfare of elderly neighbours.

®ÊBEACH BABE: Model Izzy Strickland enjoys sun in Brighton SPLASH HAPPY: Girl in fountain near London’s Tower Bridge and, below, a dog cools down with a lolly in north Wales THIRSTY WORK: Sunbather in Birmingham