Sunny skies and high temperatures are forecast across the South East this week as London prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
But forecasters are predicting that cooler north-easterly winds and possible heavy showers may spoil the celebrations during Friday’s opening ceremony in east London.
The mercury is set to rise to up to 28C in the South East on Monday - and up to 30C on Tuesday.
The weather will be dry, hot and sunny in most parts of England and Wales, however there will be persistent rain and cloud cover in southern Scotland and Cumbria.
A rainband across eastern Ireland, Cumbria and parts of southern Scotland will persist tonight and into Tuesday, although it should slowly fragment.
Temperatures will stay in the high twenties for the rest of the week elsewhere, but forecasters are predicting a cooler outlook again by Friday.
There is a risk of heavy showers in the UK's south-east by the end of the week, in time for the three-hour-long Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-twenties.
"There will be a marked contrast in the weather during the first half of this week," said Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang.
"Southern Scotland, Ireland and Cumbria look rather dull and wet, while southern and eastern parts of England and Wales are set for summer sunshine and heat.
"It will be the warmest week since the end of May - if you remember between May 23 and May 28 temperatures rose above 27C at least somewhere in the UK every day.
"Also, a new May temperature record for Scotland was set on May 25 when Achnagart (Highland) recorded 29.3C.
"Temperatures this week are likely to top that figure with 30C possible across parts of south-east England between Tuesday and Thursday.
"Rather annoyingly, the weather is set to change as the Olympics get under way and there may even be showers during Friday evening's opening ceremony.
"The first weekend of sport, including the men's and women's road races, will probably take place on cooler, more showery days."
This week's warmer conditions follow weeks of rain in some parts of the UK. The wettest April to June period on record has also led to widespread flooding.
The poor summer weather has been caused by the jet stream settling unusually far south. But forecasters say it is on its way back north, leading to more traditional summer weather.
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