UK Set To Sizzle Again But Not Before Storms

Forecasters say Britain is set for more hot weather later this week, but until then the weather is likely to be a tale of two halves - of the country at least.

Warm, dry weather is expected to continue in the South and South East, with the odd patchy shower, but heavy rain and storms are likely in much of the North and West of England, Wales and Scotland until around Wednesday.

The mercury this week is unlikely to hit the highs of last week's record-breaking temperatures of 36.7C (98.1F), recorded at Heathrow, while many other areas broke the 30C (86F) mark.

Temperatures today will reach around 22C in the South East and London and 20C in Scotland.

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Sky News weather forecaster Isobel Lang said: "It's going to be quite a nice break from the heat - some relief for those who found last week too hot.

"And an Atlantic frontal system is bringing some welcome rain for the garden.

"But those who prefer the heat will have a treat by the end of the week."

The large band of rain sweeping northwest across the country will be replaced by warmer weather by Thursday and Friday.

High of 26C in London are forecast and bright spells expected everywhere else.

Amid reports of more record-breaking temperatures at the end of July, Lang says it is not impossible, but at this stage should be taken with a pinch of salt.

But in Germany a heatwave has already pushed the mercury to the highest level since measurements began in 1881.

A temperature of 40.3C (104.54F) was recorded in Kitzingen, northern Bavaria, on Sunday afternoon.

Storms across parts of the country on Sunday night brought temperatures back down.

Back in Britain, lightning is forecast to strike parts of Scotland again on Tuesday following the widespread thunderstorms over the weekend.

It comes after two people died as a result of separate lightning strikes in the Brecon Beacons .