The UK is set to enjoy another 27C sizzling hot scorcher today before storms lash parts of the country.

Britain will bask in temperatures balmier than Barcelona after yesterday saw the mercury rise to 28.3C on the hottest day of 2021 so far.

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It was the third day this week that the record for the hottest temperature of 2021 has been broken.

On Monday, Kinloss in northern Scotland recorded temperatures of 24.6C with Cardiff hitting a whopping 26.1C on Tuesday.

Heavy downpours are set to lash the south east tonight, with the heat sparking lightning and thundery rain.

But the wet weather won't last for long as it's expected to get even hotter over the next fortnight with temperatures of up to 30C.

BALMY BRITAIN

Last summer saw the hottest day ever in the UK, with 37.8C recorded at Heathrow on July 31.

And while today will be cooler than yesterday, the rest of the week will remain warm.

Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: "Temperatures on Thursday are expected to be around 26C to 27C across South East England and East Anglia.

"And then through the rest of the week we'll generally see a mixture of sunny spells and a few showers, and temperatures around 24 to 25C.

"So it's not quite as hot for the rest of the week compared to the maximum temperatures on Wednesday, but still staying above average for this time of year."

Yesterday, Surrey and Kent recorded temperatures of between 27C and 28C as sunseekers hit beaches and parks.

Temperatures peaked at 28.3C in Northolt, West London

Wales and Scotland enjoyed the hottest day 2021 so far, with the thermometer Hawarde hitting 26.5C and 25.4C in Achnagart, in the Highlands.

In Northern Ireland, the temperature climbed to 23.3C in Ballywatticock.

MAY DAY

But parts of the UK will just miss out on an official heatwave despite temperatures remaining high, the Met Office has said

The sunny spell comes after a rain-soaked May saw downpours lash the country.

The UK had its fourth highest amount of rainfall on record for the month, with an average of 120mm falling.

Wales had its wettest May since records began in 1862, with 245mm of rainfall, topping the previous record of 184mm in 1967, according to the Met Office.

Today will be cloudy with some rain over parts of north England, south and west Scotland and at first Northern Ireland.

There is a threat of thundery showers coming up to East Anglia and the South East from France overnight tonight.

And more rain could drift in to hit the north west of the country early on Friday.

But there will be good sunshine at times and feeling pleasant despite temperatures not hitting Wednesdays's highs.

The weekend will be mostly fine and dry with sunny spells and only a few showers.

Temperatures will remain around average in light winds, but with some chilly nights in places.

Next week will be mixed, with dry weather and outbreaks of rain in some parts.Bookies have slashed the odds on this month being the hottest June ever.

Ladbrokes has now cut odds from 4/1 to 7/4 on next month boasting record-breaking heat.

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