Households in England urged to close windows until Wednesday

Households in England as well as other parts of the UK are being told they should close their windows, as well as curtains and blinds, from Sunday until at least Wednesday. Hot weather is set to return with a flourish this Saturday, peaking with two sunny warm days on Sunday and Monday for much of the UK, according to the latest forecasts, which won't cool off fully until after Wednesday.

The latest forecast says temperatures will hit 23C on Saturday, then hit a two-day peak which has been revised up from 24C forecast just a few days ago of 25C on Sunday and Monday, particularly in London, although most of England will see the hot weather. In fact, the temperature could go as high as 27C on Sunday and Monday, the Met Office said.

On Tuesday, the weather will then drop to a more manageable 22C before cooling off to 21C by Thursday.

The forecaster said in its latest forecast: "Dry across the majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells for many areas as high pressure dominates the weather pattern across the UK."

Homes across England in particular will be getting hot as the May sunshine cooks us in our well-insulated buildings, constructed to withstand the cold British winters rather than warm summer sun for extended periods.

For anyone struggling to beat the heat, there are steps to keep your house cool in the sunshine.

One way of doing so is to close windows and curtains or blinds in the sunniest conditions, and tactically open windows in shaded areas and open all your windows again in the evening, when outside air temperatures are lower.

Energy firm says: "Tempting as it is to fling open the windows at the first sign of summer, it's not actually the best idea. To keep your house cool, you need to keep the hot air out.

"This means keeping windows closed during the day - particularly south-facing windows. Keep curtains, blinds and windows shut when the sun is shining directly on them, and when you're out. Try opening windows on the most shaded side of your home, to avoid sunlight and hot air getting in."

This advice is echoed by energy supplier It says: "Tempting as it might be to throw your windows open during a heatwave, leaving them shut when the day is at its hottest will keep the house cool.

"So try to only let the air in early, or late, in the day. Light coloured blinds and curtains made of a weightier fabric offer the best heat-blocking potential, so go for these if you're thinking of updating yours - but keep hold of any darker ones that you replace, so you can switch back once the temperature drops to keep the heat in. Keep these closed during the day too to keep your house cool in summer."

The Met Office added in its latest forecast that thunderstorms could break the heat in several areas of England, but the areas that escape thunder and rain will bake in 27C.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Harris, said: "Should these thunderstorms develop, especially on Monday, there is potential for 25-35mm of rain to fall in an hour or so which may lead to some localised surface water flooding. Hail, lightning, and isolated strong wind gusts would be additional hazards. Forecasting exactly where thunderstorms will form at this range is fraught with uncertainty, so please stay up to date with the Met Office forecast through the weekend, and any severe weather warnings which may be issued.

"In the sunshine, away from the cloud in the west and southwest, temperatures will likely build again, with highs of 26-27°C possible on Sunday and Monday."