UK weather: Summer heatwave makes way for rain and cooler temperatures

It’s time to get the umbrellas out as traditional British summer returns

Last week's hot and dry spell will give way to more changeable conditions this week (PA)

Hot on the heels of the heatwave that saw temperatures soar above 33 degrees in the south during the hottest week of the year so far, rain and cooler temperatures are set to spread across the UK, forecasters say.

Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far with the mercury hitting 33.4C (92.1F) at Pershore in Worcestershire and 33.5C in Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

But temperatures will fall by at least 10 degrees in the coming days, and changeable weather means most areas will see rain by the end of the week.

Forecasters said wet weather will sweep south from northern and western areas on Monday, with the highest temperatures falling to around 23C.

Heavier rain across Scotland and Northern Ireland is set to push south over the early part of the week, bringing intermittent rain as well as sunnier intervals.

The south east will remain warmest and driest, while Wales and the south west will see patchy rain which is likely to be heavier on Wednesday and Thursday.

By Friday and the weekend, a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers will keep people guessing.

Met Office forecaster Craig Snell said: “This week will certainly be fresher than last week, but even so we will see some pleasantly warm spells and sunshine, though for all of us we will see some rain from time to time, especially across the west.”

While disappointing for many Britons who have basked in above-average temperatures, the cooler weather will be a relief to others.

Several people are thought to have lost their lives last week in the scorching heat.

Soldier Josh Hoole died while on a training exercise in the Brecon Beacons, and Jack Pullen, 16, died after getting into difficulties while playing with friends in a river in Manchester.

In London, two 16-year-old boys were stabbed after a mass waterfight descended into violence in Burgess Park. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries.