Receive Morning Headlines by email for free to receive the latest news from our journalists around the world
Sign up for our free Morning Headlines newsletter
High temperatures in the UK will continue this week, but rain and thunder are expected as the summer holidays approach.
According to the Met Office, temperatures could soar to 26C in the south-east on Wednesday, with parts of north-west Scotland set to remain sunny.
The heat continues after the UK experienced a mini heatwave last week, with temperatures reaching 31.9C in central London on Friday.
On Tuesday, temperatures could drop to single figures by early morning, but only in parts of northern Scotland.
Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day of the week, with temperatures reaching 26C, but then dropping as schools close for the summer holidays on Thursday.
The Met Office says showers will return to the west, with patchy cloud and occasional sunny spells further south and east.
On Thursday, people can expect rain to arrive from the west and gradually move eastwards, with showers likely to be heavy.
Spotty showers will follow on Friday and Saturday, with more changeable weather to come, the Met Office says.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: “The long-term outlook for early August suggests that what is most likely is drier weather further south, with more frequent showers and rain further north and west.
“There remains a harbinger of more changeable weather periods in the first half of August, with some low pressure periods occasionally leading to more unstable weather.”
From Monday to Wednesday
A fairly cloudy start to the week with rain forecast to move eastwards. Things will clear up with heavier rain and heavier showers expected in northern parts of the UK but temperatures will remain warm.
Occasional showers are expected on Tuesday, especially early in the morning.
From Wednesday to Friday
Temperatures will peak above 25C in parts of the south-east on Wednesday, but will drop to cooler temperatures, keeping conditions mild below 20C. Rain will move west later, with a breeze expected on Thursday. There will be some showers in the north of the UK on Friday, but the south will be drier.
From Friday to Sunday
The first thunderclaps will be felt towards the end of the week, when a band of cloud and rain clears to the southeast. This will open the way to scattered showers over much of the northwest, but these will ease overnight.
End of July to August
The UK is set to continue to enjoy sunny spells but can expect some rainy spells as August looks set to be changeable, the Met Office says.
Wet weather will be interspersed with dry and sunny spells, with most of the rainfall occurring in northern and western areas. Minimal rainfall is expected in southern and eastern parts of the UK and temperatures could rise above average.
High UV levels will persist throughout the week and charities such as Cancer Research UK have highlighted the risks of a lack of sun protection during the summer months.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “The fact that the majority of these cases are preventable underlines the importance of people taking sun protection seriously.”
