GWENT looks set to sizzle this week in soaring temperatures before thunderstorms bring it to an end later.

A so called Spanish Plume, which will bring heat up to the UK, will transport hot air from Spain and the northern Sahara bringing temperatures of at least 24C.

Ebbw Vale meteorologist Jonathan Powell, of Principality Weather, said: “[Today] is going to be warm but not especially warm. But it is Tuesday and Wednesday when the heat will make its way across much of Wales. At the moment Wednesday looks like the warmest day we are going to get.

“It will be oppressive heat and quite sultry. These are unseasonably high temperatures.

“We have waited so long these on the upper end. We should be seeing 19, 20, 21°C as a standard but this is extreme.”

He said July looks to be the best month of the summer so far for pleasant weather and that August could see a lapsing back into variable temperate and conditions, as has been seen this month. The heat will increase in intensity by travelling further east.

As part of the plume the heat can also bring the storms when it clashes with colder air being transported across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Met Office said today is expected to be a fine and warm day with plenty of sunshine but this could be hazy. Later thicker cloud will spread.

Mostly fine and very warm weather is expected with a little rain forecast for early tomorrow (Tues). The afternoon will bring the hottest temperatures. Thunderstorms could develop from day to day, accompanied by warm, muggy nights.

The heat arrives in the UK with some of the biggest summer events ready to kick off. The Wimbledon tennis championships will begin today, a day after the close of the Glastonbury Festival. In Somerset music fans were soaked by rain at the start of the weekend.