UK weather forecast: Met Office warns of ‘danger to life’ from flooding ahead of 35C heatwave

High UV rates and pollen counts also expected after downpours in coming days

Parts of Britain will be hit by thunderstorms and 40mm-60mm of rain over the coming days before temperatures reach highs of 35C as parts of the country bask in a heatwave towards the end of the week.

“We may be looking at heatwave thresholds being breached in parts of the country,” said Nicola Maxi, a Met Office meteorologist.

“It’s going to feel much hotter for most areas across the UK this week,” added Dan Suri, the organisation’s chief meteorologist.

“Our latest forecasts show the highest temperatures are expected towards the end of the week, most likely across central and southwest England, where temperatures could rise into the low 30s celsius.”

“It’s also going to feel humid and quite muggy – especially at night time – as temperatures could remain in the high teens or low 20s celsius in places.”

The Met Office has also issued multiple severe yellow weather warnings, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for earlier in the week before the onset of the hottest weather.

A yellow thunderstorm warning is in place for most of England until 11.59pm on Monday.

“A lot of locations within those areas won’t see any rain,” Ms Maxi said.

“The exact location of a thunderstorm is hard to pinpoint but some areas will see 20mm-30mm of rain and on Tuesday 40mm-60mm, falling in one or two hours.”

Mr Suri said the amount of rain forecast was “very unusual for the UK”.

“Heavy rain and thunderstorms may lead to disruption and travel,” a Met Office spokesperson said.

“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.”

A second thunderstorm warning is in place for Northern Ireland until 11pm on Monday and a yellow rain warning has also been issued for Scotland until 11.59pm.

Heavy showers are also expected to fall over north Wales and England on Tuesday, with a yellow rain warning issued for the region from 12am-12pm.

Southeast England will continue to be hit by rainfall and thunderstorms on Tuesday, with a third thunderstorm warning in place in the region from 12am-10am.

“With the potential for a large volume of water in a short time, there is a significant risk of flash flooding, fast flowing or deep flowing water causing danger to life and very difficult driving conditions in places,” Mr Suri added.

“As such we are urging the public to keep a close eye on [Met Office] forecasts and warnings.”

But later in the week temperatures will begin to rise, nearing record highs in parts of the UK.

“By the end of the week we’re looking at 31C quite widely around London and in the south where it’s hottest,” Ms Maxi said.

“In some isolated parts it could reach 33C or even 35C.

“It will be very very hot and remain humid overnight, which does have health implications.”

Public Health England said there was a 70 per cent likelihood that heat health criteria would be met between Thursday and Saturday in parts of England.

“There are health implications for those with breathing problems and other health issues,” Ms Maxi said.

“So Public Health England may be issuing alerts.”

The NHS said there was a 90 per cent “p​robability of heatwave conditions” this week.

“Hot weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients,” a spokesperson for the organisation said.

High UV rates and high pollen counts are also expected amid the hot weather.

The spike in temperatures will fade early next week, after a warm weekend.

“It will become cooler going into next week, possibly Sunday, possibly Monday or Tuesday,” Ms Maxi said.