Met Office verdict on when warm weather could return this summer after 28C heatwave

Was that it? Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK basked in a sudden heatwave last week - but it disappeared as quickly as it arrived.

Temperatures soared to a sweltering 28C. Although since the weekend, temperatures have cooled down once again, and brought intermittent downpours.

Manchester is now forecast for top temperatures of 16C from Wednesday (July 3) to Saturday, with showers and periods of rain expected to fall.

Last week's hot spell stood in stark contrast to the first few weeks of June, which saw wet and cool weather. Average June temperatures stood at 12.9C across the country, below average by 0.4C according to the Met Office.

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Similar conditions to this week are expected as next week approaches, according to the Met Office long-range forecast. It says 'rather cool and showery' weather across the UK this weekend is likely to be followed by 'further cloud and rain' next week - potentially with stronger winds in the west.

There could be better news for sunseekers as next week progresses though. According to the long-range forecast, parts of the country could see potentially above-average temperatures later in the week - although the best of the weather is currently expected in eastern areas.

The Met Office says conditions could be more settled by the middle of July, before drier conditions are 'a little more likely than normal' by the third week of the month. However, any talk of a late July heatwave is currently wide of the mark.

According to the latest information, the Met Office says the country could see a return to cooler and more unsettled weather later in the month. However, it warns this current prediction is based on 'rather weak and conflicting' signals, so forecasts could still change in the weeks ahead.