Thunderstorms to end brief heatwave

Thunderstorms are set to bring the short-lived heatwave to an abrupt end, forecasters warned.

Sunday marked the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures rising above 28C.

And although Monday will see the mercury tipping as much as 30C, by evening the hot weather could be broken by thunder and heavy showers.

Forecaster Paul Mott of MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, said: "It's certainly the hottest day of the year - temperatures in St James's Park in central London reached 28.4C (83.1F).

"And the weather will get even hotter, at least in the south eastern areas of the UK. There will be plenty of sunshine over England and Wales, although the North West will be a bit cloudier.

"But there will be a breakdown in the weather in the evening and on Tuesday, with heavy showers and localised thunder storms spreading east across England.

"And by Wednesday the heat wave will definitely be over. If anything it will be a bit colder than average, 20C (68F) in London and down to 15C (59F) elsewhere."

London parks were packed with scantily clad sun worshippers today, taking advantage of the blue skies.

But those heading to the coast may have been disappointed to find temperatures as low as 15C. In Brighton, beach goers made do with temperatures of 19C (66F), although the mercury will rise to 24C (75F) on Monday.

Andy Murray, first on Centre Court tomorrow for a last-16 showdown with Frenchman Richard Gasquet, will be glad to play his match before the weather turns.