Met Office verdict on 'heatwave from northern France' arriving in UK this week

The Met Office has issued its latest verdict on whether heatwave is coming to the UK this week.

Reports suggest hot air could sweep into the south of the UK from northern France towards the end of this week, with temperatures climbing above 30C again.

However, the Met Office has rebutted the claims, suggesting temperatures are only likely to reach the high 20s in the warmest places.

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A spokesperson for the Met Office told the Manchester Evening News: "Temperatures this week will be around average for the time of year, though with fresher air replacing the humid air we’ve had in place over the last week or so it will feel more comfortable.

"There are some signs of potentially warmer conditions in the south east by the end of the weekend and into the start of next week, with the possibility of temperatures returning to the high 20s.

"This scenario would also see more humid and cloudy conditions moving back in to the south and any higher temperatures would depend on cloud breaks through the day. So at this stage there is a chance of a short spell of warmer weather in the south east but the detail will become clearer as we get closer."

Meanwhile the Met Office has also said strong winds are likely across the UK this week. In a social media post, the weather agency said: "The jet stream will strengthen across the UK this week, steering low pressure in our direction and bringing stronger winds."

The next couple of weeks is set to bring a mix of hot weather, thunderstorms and cloudy conditions, according to the latest long-range forecast from the weather agency.

The forecast for the UK for August 11 to August 20 reads: