As Britain enjoys a sporting and cultural weekend that will linger in the memory, temperatures are set to eclipse those in Greece today as the country basks in a heatwave. In London, the mercury today is predicted to top 30C (86F) – higher than that in Athens and Rome and the warmest day this year – while much of Britain will be in the high 70s.
Andy Murray was in sizzling form at Wimbledon last night as he swept aside his third-round opponent Gilles Simon in straight sets. The number four seed cruised into the second week having yet to drop a set. In contrast, reigning champion Rafael Nadal was made to sweat again yesterday before defeating Philipp Petzschner in five sets.
The sweltering conditions come as millions prepare to watch England play Germany in the World Cup this afternoon, with supermarkets reporting that good weather and football mania has resulted in record sales of barbecue products.
The sunshine has meant the thousands at Glastonbury do not have to worry about the usual threat of trenchfoot but are battling to avoid sunburn. A festival spokesman said: "In terms of consistency, this year has been the hottest Glastonbury since it started in 1970." More than 1,000 people attending the festival needed medical treatment because of the weather.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon officials said they expected to sell some 1,000 bottles of suncream and more than 19,000 bottles of water as tennis fans sought protection in the baking heat. The weather also lent a carnival air to Armed Forces Day, as tens of thousands came out to show their support. Troops paraded through the centre of Cardiff in one of more than 350 events to mark the occasion, now in its second year.
Other major celebrations were held in Edinburgh, where guests included the head of the army, General Sir David Richards, and Manchester, which welcomed the head of the royal navy, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope. The royal family was represented in Cardiff by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Forecasters said the hot spell has been caused by high pressure across central and eastern England. While the heatwave was expected to have brought hundreds of thousands flocking to Britain's beaches, there were warnings of water shortages if it continues. United Utilities predicted there would be a hosepipe ban across north-west England unless there was "significant" rainfall soon.
Ladbrokes offered 3-1, cut from 7-2, that the highest ever UK temperature of 38.5C (101.3F) recorded at Brogdale, near Faversham, Kent, in 2003 will be beaten this year. William Hill set odds of 16-1 that temperatures will top 100F (37.8C) at Wimbledon. "It looks like we are in for a red-hot summer and the 5-1 on offer for temperatures to top 100F [somewhere in the UK this year] will not last long," said spokesman Rupert Adams.
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