The UK has recorded the hottest day of the year for third day in a row with temperatures having already hit 26.6C in London.
But the Met Office is warning that storms are coming, with thunder, rain and hail having battered parts of the country this morning.
Thermometers in Northolt, in west London, have peaked early, beating yesterday's high by 11.30am.
Tuesday had previously the 2021 high with 25.8C, which was recorded in both Cardiff and Middle Wallop.
And forecasters are predicting temperatures could reach 29C later this afternoon.
But looming storms across the South West prompted the Met Office to issue a yellow warning until 11am this morning, with transport delays and power loss a risk.
And tomorrow temperatures are expected to begin to dip, with the increased possibility of showers as the weekend approaches.
Speaking of the turn in the South West today, meteorologist Alex Burkill said: "The thunderstorms could bring lots of lightning, some hail, as well as some heavy rain, and with the half term there is an increased number of tourists in this area.
"The thunderstorms do then push north-eastwards into the Midlands and across more of Wales, but they also ease and break up, so these places will see some showers but they won't be as intense."
Scotland had topped the temperature tables on Monday afternoon with Kinloss recording 24.6C - the then-hottest day of the year so far.
The previous high was set on March 30 at Kew Gardens in southwest London when the temperature hit 24.5C.
The warm weather has been a welcome break after a washout May, which brought heavy downpours and prolonged spells of rain for much of the UK.
Wales experienced the wettest May since records began in 1862, with 245mm of rainfall, topping the previous record of 184mm set in 1967, according to the Met Office.
The UK has seen its fourth highest amount of rainfall on record for the month, with an average of 120mm.
Meanwhile, England had its fifth wettest May on record, and its wettest since 1967, with 111mm of rain.
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today:
Very warm with a good deal of sunshine for most. Eastern coasts cooler with an onshore breeze and low cloud in the northeast. Cloudier in the south with showers and some thunderstorms possible, these moving into some central areas later.
Tonight:
Thundery showers moving north, followed by clear spells, but also low cloud and coastal mist in the south. A warm night, except in the north-east.
Thursday:
Showers across northern areas soon fading, then cloud breaking up to allow sunny spells, but scattered thunderstorms developing in some eastern parts of England where it will be very warm.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday:
A lot of fine and dry weather, although a few thundery showers remain possible, mainly in the SE Friday. Temperatures a little lower nationwide Friday, but recovering into the weekend.
