News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A sizzling summer could be on its way from tomorrow after Britain was hotter than Turkey over the weekend with soaring top temperatures of 25.4 degrees.

The mercury averaged 25C in Ankara where thousands of Brits will be soaking up the sun - but it wasn't enough to topple the UK's mercury mark in Gravesend.

And now Met Office staff are preparing for scorching temperatures this summer that could start as early as tomorrow.

The average temperature across day and night could be just under 60F (15.25C) - which may be enough to make it one of the nine warmest seasons on record.

To date the warmest summer in history occurred in 2006 with average temperature of 15.78C.

But if you're waiting for the official word to whip out the barbecue, you may have to wait a bit longer.

Weather data 25C Ankara, Turkey 25.4C Gravesend, UK 32C Manaus, Brazil

The Met Office will not be releasing the news until they're 100% sure they've got it correct.

This comes after previous blunders have left people digging out their wellies when they were expecting to whack on the sun cream.

Instead, only government and transport officials are being briefed on what should be a sizzling summer.

Nicola Maxey from the Met Office said it is difficult to say exactly when a heatwave would begin.

She said: "As far as a heatwave goes it's like asking how long is a piece of string. It could be tomorrow, it could be today."

Emma Sharples of the Met Office said that while temperatures would remain high in some parts of the country, other places were in for some less pleasant conditions.

Temperature in June over the past three years Met Office

She said: "It has been a warm day, with a top temperature of 25.4 degrees in Gravesend.

"It's not quite the warmest day of the year so far, as that was back in May, but there is a chance we could top it on Monday."

It looks like those in the south east will be first to feel the benefit as year-high conditions are predicted this week.

Temperatures of up to 26C are expected which could breaking the previous record of 26.3C which was set last month in Heathrow.

25C Moscow, Russia 17.8C Cumbria, UK 12C Juneau, Alaska

Other parts of the country will have to be slightly more patient, as thunder and rain will continue in the north and west.

The Met Office forecast for the UK for Monday reads: "Another mostly dry start, with sunny spells. However showers will develop and become more frequent and heavy by afternoon, perhaps with thunder. Feeling warm and humid, especially in the southeast."

The outlook for the week ahead continues: "Breezy with sunny spells and occasionally heavy showers on Tuesday, perhaps thundery especially in the north and west. Drier with variable cloud Wednesday and Thursday, although rain possible across the northwest."