Cooler, wetter weekend in store after U.K. experiences one of hottest days ever

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Mother Nature Network reports that although there's still a week in the month, experts say the July 2017 record will likely be broken.

A new temperature record for the entire United Kingdom may have been set on Thursday afternoon.

The U.K. Met Office announced on Friday that there was a high temperature of 38.7 C (101.7 F) received from the Cambridge Botanic Garden, which is being considered the provisional highest temperature on record in the U.K.

If verified, that high temperature from Thursday would officially surpass the previous all-time high for the U.K., which is 38.5 C (101.3 F). That record was set in Faversham on 10 August 2003.

That temperature easily surpassed the previous July record high for the U.K. of 36.7 C (98.1 F) and marks only the second time in history with temperatures this high.

The high on Thursday was 37.8 C (100 F) in London with a peak AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature of 40 C (104 F).

Visitors at Green Park enjoy the sunny weather whilst having a break in London, Friday, June 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

The heat kicked into full gear on Tuesday as temperatures climbed above 32 C (90 F) in London and surrounding areas during the afternoon. High dew points and intense sunshine resulted in AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures 1-2 degrees Celsius (2-4 degrees Fahrenheit) higher than the actual temperatures.

Similar temperatures occurred on Wednesday before peaking in most locations on Thursday. This three-day stretch of unseasonable heat will achieve heat wave status for a large portion of the United Kingdom.

A spectator uses a fan to keep cool ahead of the second day of the test match between England and Ireland at Lord's cricket ground in London, Thursday, July 25, 2019. Weather forecasters predict the UK could encounter the hottest July day on record later Thursday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

The heat wave is yielding the hottest days of July and the hottest day of the summer so far.

Rail travelers endured delays as speed restrictions were put in place to protect rail tracks and overhead wires, according to BBC News.

Despite the cooler weather on Friday, the major delays on Thursday were continuing to cause problems for travelers.

⚠️ #GNUpdates - A heavily reduced service is in place this morning into the afternoon, particularly on routes to and from Peterborough.



This is due to displaced stock from yesterday's disruption meaning they are not in the correct place to form their service at present. — Great Northern (@GNRailUK) July 26, 2019

Cooler weather has since arrived and has sent temperatures falling closer to normal levels for late July. Temperatures will remain pretty close to average through Sunday, with the risk for rain persisting.

Showers will be most common across eastern and northern England, as well as Scotland on Sunday.

There will be a risk for pockets of heavier rain that can produce travel disruptions ranging from flooded roadways to rail delays.

Cloud will be widespread across much of Britain, though Wales and Southeast England will be the most likely places to fine brighter spells.

Download the free AccuWeather app for more details on temperature trends in your community. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.