Met Office declares 'hottest day' as mercury hits 32C - but thunderstorm warning imminent

Today looks set to be the hottest day of the year so far, according to the Met Office, as the mercury soared to 32C in the south east of England.

However, it comes just hours before a yellow warning for thunderstorms comes into force for a large part of the country, bringing the current heatwave to a dreary end.

The weather agency said a high temperature of 32.0C was recorded at Kew Gardens and Heathrow this afternoon, "provisionally making it the warmest day of the year so far in the UK". On July 19, a temperature of 31.9C was recorded in London.

READ MORE: Thunderstorms and flash flooding alert as Met Office issues yellow weather warning

READ MORE: Met Office verdict on when UK's 'mini heatwave' will come to an end

Brits have been basking in the sunshine in recent days after a wet and chilly start to the summer season. The Met Office has confirmed that Britain is currently experiencing an official heatwave, which is when the temperature threshold is reached on three consecutive days.

Forecasters said the country has been split across the middle, with the hottest temperatures appearing only in the south. The Met Office said much of central and southern England will be getting "hot and humid" conditions this afternoon, with cooler temperatures in the north.

"There is a big temperature contrast from north to south this week," the weather agency said. "Much of central and southern UK will feel hot and humid with temperatures around 30C likely in some towns and cities. Further north, temperatures are closer to average and remain in the high teens or low 20s."

The split in temperatures is expected to continue into this evening with central and southern areas expecting a "warm and muggy night", while in Scotland it