Thunderstorm warnings issued for swathes of UK amid 30 degree temperatures

Forecasters are warning that storms may cause disruption and damage to buildings.

Many people are enjoying sunny spells and warm weather today with temperatures expected to reach 33 degrees in parts of the south.

While it seems like a blessing from the gods that the sun has decided to show up while most people are off work, the good weather will turn to ferocious thunderstorms later tonight and in the early hours of Monday.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the latter part of today and the early part of tomorrow as thunderstorms are forecast which may cause disruption and damage to buildings.

A statement issued by the national meteorological service added that "sudden flooding" could lead to road closures and there was a "slight chance that power cuts could occur".

The forecast for tonight states that there will be "late sunshine for many to end the weekend.

"Turning windier overnight with thunderstorms developing in the west and north, bringing torrential downpours and frequent lightning. Warm and humid."

Tomorrow's forecast reads: "Windy in the north with thunderstorms and heavy rain steadily moving eastwards.

"Elsewhere, sunny spells with variable cloud amounts. Hot and humid across England and eastern Wales."

The warning for northern England and Scotland is in place from 2am on Monday until 1pm that day, while the alert for Northern Ireland begins after midnight until 7am.

While many may be sweating in the heat today, the rise in temperature is not considered a heatwave, according to the Met Office.

They say that temperatures need to exceed a specific threshold over three consecutive days in order to meet the criteria.

The hot spell is partly due to Storm Debby, which battered parts of the south of the US earlier this week.

The tropical weather works to strengthen the jet stream - a core of strong winds in the atmosphere which has a significant influence on UK weather - causing it to meander in the Atlantic.

That, weather experts say, is causing hot air to rush into the UK this weekend and early next week.