DERBYSHIRE has enjoyed its hottest day for two years, according to a keen weather forecaster.
Amateur weatherman Philip Singleton, of Chaddesden, said the sunny spell was set to continue – with temperatures in the high 20s and little chance of rain for the rest of the week.
Temperatures were as high as 30.2C across some parts of the county on Saturday – equalling the highs of June 27, 2011.
But Mr Singleton said Derbyshire temperatures had not yet reached those from July 1, 2009, when temperatures reached 30.5C.
Before the weekend started, forecasters at the Met Office had predicted "heat wave" conditions in parts of the East Midlands.
Mr Singleton said: "We fell a little short of the 2009 record – but I don't think people will mind too much.
"Sunday was a little cooler than Saturday, with temperatures of 27.1C, but people would have still found it incredibly warm.
"It's very hard to tell what the weather is going to be like beyond this week.
"They say that, if you have a warm spell in the first two weeks of July, there's a 70% chance it'll be like that for the rest of the summer, but it's difficult to confirm that at this stage."
The Met Office has again issued warnings of heat wave conditions across the region for the coming week – with a 60% probability of daytime temperatures being at or above 30C.
It said people should be "alert and ready" – particularly the parents of young children.
Heat waves can be particularly dangerous for tots, elderly people and those with chronic diseases.
But some people having fun in the sun were members of TogsQuad, the Derby Telegraph's camera club.
Some members of the group – who are snappers of all abilities – visited popular tourist spots to take their pictures, while others found inspiration in their own gardens.
The paper's picture editor, Victoria Wilcox, said: "Pictures illustrating the weather can be some of the best you ever take.
"That's because – whether it's enjoying the sunshine or avoiding the snow – you can really capture the emotion it draws from people. I'm really proud of the TogsQuad members' efforts."
