UK weather latest: Blast of warm African air sees Britain bask in new heatwave

Long-term forecast says a hot summer is likely

The UK has been enjoying better than average weather so far this year, with the hottest day of the year recorded on 21 June (Getty)

Britons have been told they can expect a long, hot summer with a mini heatwave this week caused by warm air blowing over from Africa.

Temperatures will rise to 31C by Wednesday – although the heat could give rise to thundery downpours with lightning and torrential rain expected by the end of the week.

In the longer term, the Met Office is forecasting a hotter than average spell over the next three months that could see the mercury soar to a sweltering 36C – as hot as parts of Africa and popular European holiday destinations such as Greece.

The UK has been enjoying better than average weather so far this year, with the hottest day of the year recorded as 34.5C at Heathrow on 21 June – the day which marked the official start of summer.

The Met Office forecast for July until September said: “The chances of a very hot summer are increased compared to normal, although relatively low overall.

“There is a shift in likelihood towards warmer-than-average conditions.

“For July to September, above average temperatures are more probable than below average.

“The probability UK average temperatures fall into the warmest of our five categories is 30 per cent.”

The good weather looks set to coincide with the school holidays, with most children breaking up this week, and festivals">festival-goers also likely to benefit from the temperatures, with events including the V Festival, Creamfields, Reading and Leeds due to take place in the next few weeks.