The UK has officially recorded the hottest day of the year so far after temperatures exceeded 32C today.
The highest temperature of 2023 was recorded in Chertsey, Surrey, which reached 32.2C during the afternoon.
It is the first time since August 24, 2022, that temperatures have gone above 30C in the UK, the Met Office said in a tweet.
The whole country is experiencing a heatwave - and the warm weather is here to stay for the next few days.
But the Met Office has also issued two yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms, with the first one in force across parts of England and Wales from 2pm until 10.30pm tonight.
Another warning has been issued for parts of England, Wales and Scotland and is in force from 12pm to 9pm on Sunday.
Met Office meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said there will be "some really torrential downpours developing" but they will be "hit and miss", so not everyone is going to experience wet conditions.
But the areas experiencing heavy downpours are at risk of localised flooding as rain falls onto dry ground.
He added: "Temperatures will be notably above average for the time of year, climbing towards our first 30C of the year, so really feeling warm and some very strong UV levels as well.
"If you are suffering from some of the heat though, do head towards some eastern coastal areas because there is just a bit of a breeze pushing in from the sea."
Mr Vautrey also warned that pollen levels are very high across England and Wales, as well as Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Scotland and Northern Ireland also had their warmest days of the year so far as well, with 29.8°C at Auchincruive and 25.3°C at Armagh respectively.
Talking about the forecast this evening, the meteorologist said: "Showers will take a little bit of time to eventually die down, but they'll also push their way northwards spreading across parts of Cumbria and then into western areas of Scotland as well.
"Generally turning drier throughout the second half of the night for much of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but still quite cloudy across some coastal areas."
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Morning cloud slowly clearing, then plenty of sunny spells. Turning increasingly hot and humid, giving way to thundery showers by the afternoon. Some localised flooding is possible.
Tonight:
Showers mostly dying out in the south, but continuing overnight in the north. Cloudy and murky around some coasts. Warm and humid.
Sunday:
Staying hot and humid for many through this period, with plenty of sunny spells. The continued risk of some heavy and thundery showers developing. Warm and humid nights.
Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:
Staying hot and humid for many through this period, with plenty of sunny spells. The continued risk of some heavy and thundery showers developing. Warm and humid nights.
