London faces both thunderstorms and temperatures reaching as high as 30C on Thursday as its latest heatwave continues.
Weather and heat warnings have been issued by the Met Office for the capital and many other parts of the UK including Scotland and the South East.
Heat health alerts, in place for much of the last week, have been extended into next week for most of England.
London was hit by heavy rain and thunder on Wednesday afternoon, sending locals running for cover after days of sunshine when the mercury reached 33C in places.
However, officials have also warned that England faces a “nationally significant” shortage of water, with some areas in drought.
The national drought group – which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations – has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.
On Thursday, there will be residual showers and isolated thunderstorms across the South East, gradually clearing, and lightning, hail and heavy rain drifting northwards from Scotland into the Northern Isles.
The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning covering northern Scotland until 10pm on Thursday and flood alerts have also been issued.
The UK Health Security Agency said yellow warnings will now be in place for Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London and the South East, South West and East of England until 6pm on August 18.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said heavy thundery showers or rain may affect the region on Thursday, with a risk of significant localised flooding effects from surface water and smaller rivers.
Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Some areas will continue to experience their fourth heatwave of the summer so far, with Thursday remaining warm or very warm for many, though cooler near coasts.
“Temperatures could still reach 30C in eastern England, though many areas will be a few degrees cooler than earlier in the week.”
Northern England will have patchy rain and cloud on Friday while southern England will enjoy sunshine and temperatures of up to 31C.
The weekend should be dry and sunny for most parts of the UK, climbing to 30C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday in south-west England.
