Torrential rain and colder temperatures are expected to hit London this week, with sunshine and blue skies to turn into 'persistent rain' starting from Tuesday, April 28.

In a "cooler, more unsettled week" for much of the UK, the Met Office predicts heavy rain to sweep into the capital in the early hours of tomorrow.

Warm conditions during the UK's fifth weekend in lockdown due to coronavirus have been the saving grace of lockdown, but has also prompted fears that people could defy restrictions on movement to enjoy the sunshine.

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But this for the rest of this week, heavy rain is expected to change that.

Whilst forecasters say that northern England, Wales and the Midlands will see cooler spells return tomorrow, the south will "hang on to the warmer air for one more day."

Despite heavy rain, "we could see temperatures of 20C around the London area tomorrow," said forecaster Craig Snell.

On Tuesday, a spell of persistent rain is expected to move across parts of England and Wales, while bright spells and scattered showers continue in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Another band of rain will push north-eastwards on Wednesday, according to the Met Office.

Thursday will see scattered showers - some heavy and thundery - across many parts of the UK.

"So on the final day of April, we will actually have a day of April showers across many parts of the UK," Mr Snell said.

"A much more different picture from this week where places have just seen blue skies and sunshine.

"Next week, there will be a lot more cloud in the sky and for many of us we will see some rain at some point."