UK weather: Highs of 28C forecast across parts of country this week and could bring ‘warmest day in a month’

London: The UK is finally set for a burst of summer heat after Storm Antoni brought strong winds and heavy rain to much of the country.

Weather experts say temperatures could hit highs of 28C (82.4F) in some parts of the UK on Thursday – which would make it the warmest day since 8 July.

But forecasters expect the hot spell will be short-lived, with the rain set to return on Friday.

It comes after the UK experienced its sixth-wettest July on record, followed by flooding and strong gusts from Storm Antoni to get August off to an equally miserable start.

Sky’s weather producer, Joanna Robinson said: “The week ahead will see rather cool and changeable conditions for the first few days, with showers or longer spells of rain, something we’ve been used to recently.

“But a build in pressure around the middle of the week will bring something more settled and warmer, albeit briefly.

“A southerly flow will allow temperatures to rise above average, by day and night, with a high of around 28C likely on Thursday.

“However, it will be short-lived, with rain moving through on Friday, returning the cooler airmass that’s been dominating.”

While Monday is forecast to be bright and sunny, rain is expected to hit the South West of England and Wales on Tuesday, before sweeping across the rest of England throughout the day.

But it will be drier and brighter on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Met Office, with just a few showers possible.

Temperatures are also expected to rise, with the weather “feeling much warmer”.

However, much of the rest of the month is expected to be “mixed throughout”, with near to or slightly above average temperatures.

Last week, official figures revealed that last month was the UK’s sixth-wettest July since records began in 1836 – and the wettest ever seen in Northern Ireland.