Hotter than Tenerife, then three weeks’ rain in 1 hour

BLISTERING Britain will beat the heat in Tenerife today – in some parts, at least.

Morning temperatures could hit 28C in the South, whereas the North will be several degrees cooler.

But come the afternoon we are all in the same boat, with three weeks’ rain – just over an inch – forecast to fall in one hour.

There is a flooding alert in place for next week.

Today’s top temperature puts it just behind Blackpool last Friday – at 28.6C the hottest day of 2017 so far – and seven degrees above Tenerife’s 21C.

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: “Friday may reach 28C but very warm and humid air from France might result in thundery, torrential downpours – with 25-30mm of rain in one hour and surface water. “Temperatures will fall to about 21C on Saturday and high teens on Sunday after a front moves in. “There’ll be showers on both weekend days. The North and West will be affected most but the South and East are at risk too. “A band of more persistent rain is possible on Monday.” The Environment Agency said: “Properties may flood and there could be travel disruption.”