Thursday is hottest day of the Olympics as London scorches

Swimmers compete in the 10km marathon at Hyde Park (Getty Images)

Today was the hottest day of the Olympics so far, as temperatures spiked at over 27C in some parts of London.

After mixed weather over the summer so far, the capital was bathed in bright sunshine today, with warm weather set to continue for the final days of the Games.

At the Olympic Park, the mercury hit 26.5C, according to MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, while in central London, temperatures got as high as 27.4C.

Senior forecaster Paul Mott said today was the hottest day of the Olympics since the opening ceremony on July 27.

"The temperature during the Olympic opening ceremony got to about 24C," he said, "so certainly since the opening ceremony it's been the hottest day of the Olympics.

"At the Olympic Park itself we have seen temperatures rise to 26.5C."

And while thousands of people sweltered in Hyde Park as they watched the women's marathon open water swim on the Serpentine, Mr Mott said in nearby St James's Park the mercury hit 27.4C.

"St James's Park was 27.4C at 4pm, I suspect the maximum will be about 28C somewhere in London."

And the summery weather is set to continue, he said.

"The next couple of days look like being really hot and dry with some lengthy spells of sunshine, so I think tomorrow we will see up to 27C during the afternoon in London."

He said Saturday will be a little cooler, but still up to around 25C.

On Sunday evening the games will finish with a closing ceremony at Stratford's 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium.

Mr Mott said temperatures will be slightly cooler, at around 23-24C, but during the evening the mercury will stay in the low 20s.

There is the possibility of some showers on Sunday, but it is hoped they will disappear by the evening extravaganza, in which thousands of people filling the stadium will see the Olympic flame extinguished to signal the end of the Games.

PA