Despite scenes of flash flooding across parts of London, a hot summer could be just around the corner.

Forecasters are predicting a July heatwave will kick off soon, bringing bright skies and scorching temperatures to the capital.

Here is a day-by-day account of temperatures and conditions over the next seven days, according to the Met Office.

Today (July 14)

News Shopper: Image: Met OfficeImage: Met Office

Strong sunshine and highs of 26C will hit London today.

The Met Office says there will be a “cloudy start across some eastern areas with sunny spells becoming more widespread through the morning."

“Some very warm and strong afternoon sunshine. Perhaps remaining cloudy and cooler across Kent. Winds staying light. Maximum temperature 26C."

In the evening this shifts into long, clear spells which will develop across the region as the cloud disperses.

Cloud might return to some areas later in the night the temperature will drop to a minimum of 12C.

Thursday (July 15)

News Shopper: Image: Met OfficeImage: Met Office

The morning starts off overcast before the cloud breaks to give some warm sunshine by the afternoon.

Temperatures will reach a maximum of 24 °C.

Friday to Sunday (July 16 - July 17)

A fine and increasingly warm period of weather with long spells of strong sunshine.

Early mist is possible each morning.

Sunday (18 Jul - Tuesday 27 Jul)

The Met Office forecast is slightly less promising moving further into July, with the chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms.

The forecast says: “This period will continue to be influenced by an area of high pressure slowly moving across the UK. It's expected to be widely dry with plenty of sunshine developing on Sunday, however cloudy with perhaps some rain at times across the Northern Isles.

“Following this, it's likely that we'll see a good deal of dry weather with plenty of sunshine, at least at first. Through this period there's an increasing risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms developing from the South and West.”