The UK is set to sizzle in 29C heat today after flash floods, thunder and torrential downpours battered Britain on Monday.
The continuing heatwave is set to see temperatures soar to sweltering heights throughout the day – with the worst of yesterday’s storms having passed.
The Met Office, however, warned Scotland and Northern Ireland could still be hit by thundery showers as it kept some of its weather warnings in place.
Britain’s Environment Agency also warned flooding is expected in areas along the River Weaver in West Cheshire.
The warnings come as severe rain and thunderstorms flooded Luton and Dunstable Hospital at around 3pm yesterday afternoon.
Temperatures are set to hit highs of 29C on Tuesday as the heatwave hitting Britain continues
Forecasters said the worst of the storms that hit Britain, such as this heavy downpour in Shepherd’s Bush, yesterday have now passed
Lightning in Blackpool yesterday after storms rocked parts of the UK
The UK’s Environment Agency kept some of its flood warnings in place after floods hit the UK yesterday. Cars drive through floods in Twickenham, west London
Cars had to drive through water as flash floods hit Brent Cross, north London, yesterday
The hospital was forced to ask patients attending its emergency department to come only for life-threatening illnesses or injuries after rain water spread throughout the building.
The closures saw ambulances forced to divert patients away from the Bedfordshire hospital before it was declared fully functional two hours later.
Weather alerts for thunderstorms remain in place for Scotland and Northern Ireland after much of the UK was battered by rain, hail and lightning on Monday.
The Met Office issued yellow thunderstorm warnings to parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland from 12pm to 9pm, with areas affected expected to see heavy rainfall, hail and thunderstorms.
The Environment Agency says three flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, are also in place for areas along the River Weaver in west Cheshire.
Heavy rain temporarily halted the start of the Manchester City trophy parade
The start of the parade to celebrate Manchester City winning the treble was pushed back
Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused flooding in Twickenham, west London
Blackpool was hit by lightning yesterday as storms hit parts of the UK
It comes after an amber thunderstorm warning was issued on Monday as parts of the UK were hit by heavy rain and strong winds, while roads were flooded around the country.
The torrential rain temporarily halted the Manchester City trophy parade, which celebrated the club winning the treble, with the start time pushed back half an hour to 7pm due to the downpours.
Driving conditions worsened and the UK weather service warned some communities could temporarily be cut off due to floods.
The warning covered parts of Leicester, Birmingham, Worcester, Gloucester and Oxford, with Liverpool and parts of the north west also affected.
Meanwhile, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said four fire engines were called to a house in Lytham St Annes on Monday night after a lightning strike caused the roof to catch on fire. No injuries were reported.
The west of Scotland and Northern Ireland could still experience storms today (File photo: A heavy downpour in Manchester)
Flooding at a petrol station in Worcester following an afternoon of thunderstorms
Rain storms were so heavy in Buckingham, it caused the ceiling of a Waitrose to cave in
Lightning in Blackpool yesterday
Met Office forecaster and meteorologist Simon Partridge said the worst of the thunderstorms has now passed and drier weather was expected going into the latter parts of the week.
He said: ‘We’ve got high pressure starting to rebuild over the course of the day and when you get high pressure that’s what gives us lots of dry, settled weather, like what we’ve had over the last couple of weeks.
‘That’s becoming more established tomorrow and through the week so we will see a lot of the country [on Tuesday] be dry with sunny spells.
‘The thunderstorms have gradually been working their way westwards over the last couple of days because the area of the warmest and most humid air has drifted its way westwards, as a result… we’re expecting to see thunderstorms across parts of western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
‘A few heavy rain spells are possible and could see some heavy downpours so there is the potential to see 20mm-plus of rain over a couple of hours, so not as much as we’ve seen over the last couple of days but certainly enough that anyone travelling will have to be aware.’
Sunbathers enjoy the warm weather in Weymouth yesterday as temperatures are set to hit highs of 29C today with the worst of the storms having already passed
A person enjoys the warm weather on the River Cam in Cambridge as the heatwave hitting Britain is set to continue this week
Beachgoers enjoy the sun in Bournemouth, Dorset. Today is set to be another hot day across the UK
Tuesday is expected to be another hot day across the UK as both London and Manchester are forecast to see highs of 28C during the day.
The Mayor of London has also issued a high air pollution warning to those in the capital, the second of the year, caused by high temperatures and pollution being carried over from the continent.
Sadiq Khan asked people to do their part to stop themselves contributing to the pollution levels.
He said: ‘Pollution and heat can be a dangerous combination, which is why I’m urging Londoners to look after themselves and each other by choosing to walk, cycle or take public transport, avoid unnecessary car journeys, stop their engines idling and refrain from burning wood or garden waste, all of which contribute to high levels of pollution.
‘This is particularly important in order to protect those who are most vulnerable and help us to build a safer and greener London for all.’
