UK weather: How long is second heatwave going to last?

Parts of the UK are to bask in temperatures reaching the high 20s and low 30s as Europe braces itself for a record-breaking heatwave.

In Kew Gardens in southwest London, the mercury climbed to 33.2C (91.7F) on Friday as sunshine returned to most of the country.

A Met Office spokesman said: "Essentially at the end of the week we're looking at a bit of a North West/South East split in the weather.

"Northern and some western areas will often be cooler with some outbreaks of rain - particularly in Northern Ireland - and that could spread in to southern and western Scotland."

The second summer heatwave is expected to falter next midweek.

Sky News weather producer Jo Robinson said temperatures across the UK would dip from Wednesday, with a thunderstorm risk in the South on Tuesday.

The mercury is expected to hit the mid-to late-40s in Spain and Portugal this weekend, and there could even be a record-breaking top temperature of 48C.

The current highest temperatures were hit on 13 July 2017 in Montoro, Spain, when the mercury reached 47.3C (117F) and in Amareleja, Portugal, on 1 August 2003 when the temperature reached 47.4C (117F).

The all-time highest record for continental Europe is 48C (118F) set in Athens, Greece, on 10 July 1977.

Portuguese authorities have issued a countrywide health warning, and alerts are also in place in 40 of Spain's 50 provinces.

Beja, in Portugal, is expected to record a peak of 47C on Saturday.

The temperature surge is down to a mass of hot air moving from Africa, and has been referred to as the first heatwave in the region this year.

The warm weather has had an geological impact on Sweden, where the country's tallest peak will change as the ice on top of it melts.

A glacier on Kebnekaise mountain is melting, meaning the 2,111m (6,925ft) peak will not be the tallest for much longer.

In Poland, high temperatures have forced power plants into emergency mode and in Germany there are fears of serious harm to crops as some wheat fields have been devastated by high temperatures.

Sky weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "The heat is on for Iberia this week, especially on Saturday and Sunday when temperatures could get close to 50C (122F). This is due to very hot and dry air from Africa.

"It is likely that the all-time continental Europe temperature record of 48C (118F) set in Athens back on 10 July 1977 will be broken. This will also mean Spain and Portugal's highest temperatures ever will be beaten."