The Met Office has issued a thunderstorm warning in south London as the UK experiences sweltering conditions.

The warning is in place from 4pm until 7pm tonight.

What to expect

  • Some flooding of a few homes and businesses, leading to some damage to buildings or structures
  • Some damage to a few buildings and structures from lightning strikes
  • Driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to longer journey times by car and bus
  • Delays to train services
  • Some short term loss of power and other services

News Shopper: The weather warning in placeThe weather warning in place

Elsewhere, the Met Office has issued its first ever extreme heat warning today as the UK experiences sweltering conditions in parts of the country.

It is expected to be in place for South Wales, West Midlands, southwest England and further east into Hampshire as far as the Isle of Wight.

The new weather warning level is likely to be in place until the end of Thursday when the heat is forecast to break down.

Today is likely to be the hottest day of the year so far in some parts of the UK, with soaring temperatures set to bust records set over the weekend.

The UK is expected to get even hotter with temperatures predicted to reach a sizzling 32C.

Records were set in both England and Wales on Sunday, and the mercury is forecast to climb even higher on Monday.

In England on Sunday, 31.6C was recorded in Heathrow, overtaking Saturday’s record-breaking 30.3C recorded in Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire.

The Met Office said temperatures could climb to a maximum of 32C in London and the south east on Monday, adding that there is a low chance of isolated heavy showers in the afternoon.

The long range forecast for next weekend suggests spells of rain or showers are likely for many areas, with temperatures easing back closer to normal.

Forecasters also warn that some heavy rain or thunderstorms are possible.

Tens of thousands of people headed for beaches over the weekend with roads busy on coastal routes.

Saturday had marked the hottest day of the year for all four nations, and the hottest day since records began for Northern Ireland with 31.2C recorded in Ballywatticock, in Co Down, beating the previous highest temperature of 30.8C, which was reached on July 12 1983 and June 30 1976.