This time it really will be a scorcher! Heatwave that could last for two week to start this weekend with temperatures set to hit 30C

Don't be alarmed this weekend if you spot a large circular yellow object in the sky.

After a washout of a summer so far the British public could be forgiven for forgetting what warm sun on bare skin feels like - but this weekend, if the forecasters have got it right, that is all set to change as summer finally arrives.

On the weekend that sees both the Wimbledon finals and the Henley Regatta, temperatures could reach 29C (84F) in London and the South East with the possibility of hitting 30C (86F) or higher at some point next week.

Temperatures will be up to 23C (73F) on Friday, rising to 29C (79F) on Sunday - with edge-to-edge sunshine, light winds and reasonable humidity levels.

That does mean a high UV index, and a very high pollen count - but sunburn and hayfever sufferers aside, all bar Northern Ireland and Western Scotland can look forward to enjoying the great outdoors.

And forecasters are even holding out hope that the good weather will linger into the next couple of weeks as high pressure builds over most of the UK after moving

Despite the possibility of prolonged good weather the temperatures still have a way to go to hit the sweltering 36.5C high of the 2006 heatwave which was the record hottest July average temperature since records began in 1910.

Chris Burton, forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "This is all down to an area of high pressure moving in across England.

"There could be a bit of patchy rain in north west Scotland and Northern Ireland, but nothing significant.

"Elsewhere, Friday is going to be the first properly fine and sunny day - with temperatures as high as 28C and 29C over the weekend across the south coast.

"Parts of the Midlands and East Anglia will also see temperatures well into the mid-to-late 20s."

The previous highest temperature of the year was 27C (80F), on June 30, while recent years have seen Britons endure wet and overcast summer seasons.

And Mr Burton said there was a chance the mercury could remain in its lofty perch well into next week.

The forecaster said: "It certainly looks like this fine weather is going to stick around.

"It is one of the more prolonged spells of dry sunny weather in quite a while."

But he said there was also a risk of a high pollen count over the weekend.

He added: "The sun will be quite strong at this time of year, so it is always best to be careful."