TEMPERATURES are set to reach a scorching 31C in the capital today but us Northerners are being warned of heavy rain. 

Along with high temperatures, there is a Met Office severe weather warning in place for Greater Manchester, from 2pm until 11pm today. 

It warns of outbreaks of showery rain which may turn torrential and thundery across parts of northern England.

Whilst most places will miss the worst, there is also a risk of large hail, frequent lightning and strong winds.

People are warned to be aware that this could cause flash flooding and disruption to travel.

The chief forecaster said: "A very warm and humid air mass is in place across much of the UK, with conditions marginal for thunderstorm development this afternoon as temperatures rise.

"Northern England and southeast Scotland are currently judged the most likely area to see scattered thundery downpours but even here many places will have no more than light rain.

"However, where storms do form, there is a lot of moisture and energy available, with the risk of more than 30 mm of rain in around an hour, large hail and frequent lightning."

Temperatures are expected to reach 25C today and 24C on Wednesday. 

Further south, The Met Office declared a Level 2 heat-health alert on Monday morning - which means there is a high chance that temperatures will hit certain temperature thresholds for at least two days and the intervening night.

The high temperatures predicted means that Britain could be as warm as Bangkok in Thailand, and hotter than forecasts for Madrid and Los Angeles.

The last time temperatures soared above 30C (86F) in September was in 2006 in Kew Gardens, which hit 30.5C (87F) on September 11.

If the mercury rises above 31.6C (88.9F), which was reached at Gatwick on September 2 1961, then it will be the hottest day for 55 years.