Scotland to reach highs of 29C as UK prepares for 'hottest day ever'

Europe is gripped in a heatwave as warm air from the Sahara descends.

Parts of Scotland are to reach highs of 29C tomorrow as the UK prepares for what is predicted to be one of the hottest days since records began.

Glasgow and the west are to approach 30C by lunchtime tomorrow, with temperatures sitting at 20C by 9am.

Edinburgh will reach highs of 28C by 5pm, as will Inverness.

Dundee and Aberdeen will remain slightly cooler with highs of 23C and 18C respectively.

Sunshine is predicted for much of Scotland throughout the day, but rainfall is expected after around 6pm.

People enjoy the heatwave on Moray Beach.

Reports say areas of the UK could reach as high as 39C, breaking the record from 2015 which saw Heathrow Airport reach 36.7C.

BBC weather have predicted thunderstorms throughout tomorrow evening as the air cools.

Lightening strikes have already been felt in Glasgow this morning.

Parts of England are expected to feel like 44C degrees tomorrow, with commuters warned to stay at home.

Meanwhile, there are concerns some railway lines could buckle as the heatwave impacts across most of northwestern Europe.

Paris is currently sitting at 38C and Bordeaux is expected to reach 41.2C tomorrow afternoon.

The French government has currently banned transporting live animals and French energy company EDF stated that it would shut down two nuclear reactors in an attempt to limit the amount of heating water used to keep the reactors cool at Golftech nuclear power plant.