Starmer thanks Christians for community work in Easter message

Key points

• Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
• Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
• Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
• Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
• UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.