The weather in Huddersfield has been hotter than Athens, Rome and Istanbul today (Tuesday).

The start of a forecasted mini-heatwave has seen temperatures rise to up to 30°c, a stark contrast to the mixed and often rainy weather of previous weeks.

The temperature matched that of the tropical city of Miami in southern Florida, according to a BBC weather chart.

And at the Examiner office in Bradley, cars in the car park gave temperature readings ranging from 31-34 degrees.

A picture of a thermometer in Slaithwaite shared by Elizabeth Dickie on Facebook even showed an astonishing temperature of 38°c at 12.30pm.

Elizabeth Dickie shared this picture of her thermometer in Slaithwaite

The record for the hottest July day ever was set last year with a top temperature of 31.4°c (89°F).

And weatherman Paul Stevens has said there is an outside chance of breaking the all-time record of 33.5°c (92°F), reached on August 3, 1990.

He added that the heat would begin to brakdown towards the end of the week, with more normal July temperatures and a few showers among sunny spells.

Summer blossom off Calton Street, Fartown.

He addded: “Severe thunderstorms are possible with hail, gusty winds and lightening which may lead to local disruption.

“Torrential downpours are likely which will clear east later on Wednesday as cooler fresher weather arrives for Thursday.”