THE south is set to sizzle this weekend as warm weather finally arrives banishing months of rain and mud to memory.

With temperatures set to reach a scorching 27C (81F) today and tomorrow, Hampshire will rival holiday destinations including Bulgaria and parts of Portugal.

The sunshine will be greeted by crowds descending on the Isle of Wight as Cowes Week gets under way.

But Hampshire's roads are expected to suffer as tens of thousands head to the beaches.

A spokesman for the Met Office said that although the UK will remain cooler than some European countries, many of which are still in the midst of a heatwave, the south will still be hotter than some western European holiday destinations.

Forecasters are predicting a clear and sunny weekend, tipped to be the hottest this year so far. But the fine weather won't last.

The Met Office has warned that the remains of tropical storm, Chantal, will have an influence on our weather early next week.

That system is expected to bring thunderstorms to the region late tomorrow, with the risk lasting until Wednesday.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is warning people to take extra care this weekend to prevent fires breaking out.

Heathland fires and blazes in rural areas are a major risk during hot and dry weather and following a long wet start to summer fears are that flourishing grassland areas could become a bigger fire hazard.

Watch manager Daniel Miles said: "A fire in the countryside can cause many thousands of pounds worth of damage and kill hundreds of wild animals and birds. Many such fires are caused by carelessness, or by children deliberately starting fires.

"Just ten seconds of carelessness can cause fires that take over ten hours to put out and ten years to regrow."

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking all residents and visitors to the area to consider the following tips, to help reduce the level of calls this weekend.

Extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials correctly and never throw cigarettes out of car windows.

Do not leave bottles or glass in woodlands as the sun shining through glass can start large fires; take them home or put them in a waste or recycling bin.

Only use barbecues at specially designated sites and never leave them unattended.

Keep young children and ball games away from barbecues.

Ensure your barbecue is fully extinguished and cold before disposal and never discard used coals anywhere except in bins designed specially for the purpose Avoid using open fires in the countryside.