Summer is set to return in style with roasting 28°C highs after extreme rainfall this week left the transport network in chaos.
Four Tube lines in London were at least part suspended this morning, causing commuting misery for thousands of workers.
The Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and London Overground all remain affected at the time of writing, after heavy rain and storms yesterday.
Flash flooding caused further trouble on the roads with images of parked cars becoming submerged, and even people swimming in ponds created by thunderstorms on Primrose Hill.
But a huge improvement in the weather is coming – and within just the next day or two.
Days of wall-to-wall sunshine are predicted for much of the UK, with temperatures of 25°C in the capital on Friday and up to 28°C on Monday.
Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin said: ‘There are some signs it could get warmer still.’
He added: ‘If you’re a fan of sunnier and warmer weather, you’re in for a treat this week because the weather patterns are changing.
‘What’s going on? Low pressure is sitting nearby at the moment but down here we have the Azores High. It’s drifting slowly but surely to our shores.’
‘As we go through Tuesday into Wednesday, the highs will be getting closer and closer.
‘There’s still a small chance of one or two showers across eastern England, but otherwise sunny spells and temperatures widely over 20 Celsius, maybe 25 or possibly 26.
‘The highs will be well and truly sitting across the UK by Wednesday night and into Thursday.’
He added that north east residents should expect mist on the North Sea coast, but the cloud should fade away as it gets further inland.
UV and pollen levels will rise with the temperature, so it could be a tricky spell to navigate for hay fever sufferers.
Today’s Met Office forecast summary reads: ‘Dry for most with sunny spells. A few showers likely for parts of Scotland, Wales and England but these much lighter than on recent days.
‘Cloudier in some North Sea coastal areas and northern Scotland. Becoming warmer.’
The outlook for Wednesday is: ‘Mostly dry with sunny spells though some eastern parts, particularly Norfolk, cloudier with some drizzle.
‘Becoming cloudier for west Scotland and Northern Ireland but mostly dry. A little warmer again.’
The forecaster said for Thursday to Saturday: ‘Mostly dry with plenty of sunshine, although often cloudier in the far northwest with perhaps some rain at times. Very warm inland, but cooler along some coasts.’
MORE : Flash floods submerge London streets as storms batter Britain
MORE : Why has the weather been so bad this summer?
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