UK weather latest: Torrential downpours in the southeast will give way to another heatwave

People mourning the impending end of the latest heatwave to hit the UK will not have long to wait for another as the heavy rain will soon give way to hotter weather by the end of the week.

According to the Met Office, the south east of England and East Anglia will experience heavy downpours on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The weather service has issued a yellow warning with an inch of rain expected to fall in just an hour in some places.

A forecaster said: “Heavy showers are expected to develop early in the day and will likely turn thundery and locally intense.

“Whilst most places will miss the worst, 20 mm of rain in an hour is likely in places, with a low risk of more than 30 mm locally. Lightning could be an additional hazard.”

But by the end of the week the hot weather is set to return and, according to the Met Office’s long-term forecast, it is due to stay with us into the beginning of August.

The forecaster said: “Prolonged dry and warm spells may become more prevalent across much of the UK, perhaps continuing through early August, although northwestern areas are still likely to remain more changeable at first.

“There may also be spells of rain or scattered thundery showers at times in the south.

“Temperatures may be around average in the northwest, in contrast to some warmer spells elsewhere, particularly in the south and east.”

This summer has already broken records as June became the hottest since 1976.

Last month, roads in Cambridgeshire “melted” in the heat and the Ascot horse race relaxed its famously strict dress code as temperatures reached highs of 34C.