The Met Office has confirmed that warm weather is set to return to the UK this week after a wet weekend marked by heavy showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to rise, with the mid-20s Celsius anticipated by 4pm on Thursday. London could reach 26C, while most of the country will see temperatures in the low 20s. Cities like Manchester, Cardiff, and Plymouth are forecast to have highs of 21C. The warm spell is expected to continue into the weekend, with London again hitting 26C and Manchester reaching 24C on Sunday. However, rain is expected to move in from the Atlantic later in the day, bringing showers to Scotland, Wales, and northern England. Looking ahead, the Met Office long-range forecast suggests that the first half of September will bring warm periods, though the weather is likely to be unsettled. Rain is expected to be more frequent in northern and western parts of the UK, while the south and east may experience drier conditions. Strong and gusty winds could also occur, particularly in the northwest. Overall, temperatures are expected to be near average, with brief spells of warm or very warm weather possible, especially in the south. The UK has experienced a notably warm summer, with the average temperature across June, July, and August reaching 16.5C. This surpasses the previous record of 16.1C set last year. The highest temperature recorded this summer was 38.1C at Kew Gardens on August 13. While this did not break the all-time UK record of 40.3C, set in Lincolnshire in 2022, it did contribute to several other records being broken, including three days where temperatures reached 37C or higher. The recent heat and rainfall patterns highlight the variability of the UK's weather, which can shift quickly depending on atmospheric conditions. While the Met Office continues to monitor the situation, the public is advised to stay prepared for both warm and wet conditions as the season progresses.