IT HAS officially been one of the hottest August bank holiday weekend on record in Sussex with temperatures soaring to 27C.

That's because high pressure is bringing tropical continental air mass to the UK - including some much-needed warm air from France.

Explaining why this weekend has been so hot, Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: "High pressure centred over the Baltic is bringing a tropical continental air mass to the UK and this will continue to drag hot air northwards over the next couple of days."

He said the jet stream circulates the globe, separating cold Arctic air and warm tropical air, and the UK is currently to the south of the jet stream. High pressure and south easterly winds are bringing much warmer air from France.

Temperatures reached 30.7C in London on Saturday, while the hottest place in Wales was Gogerddan, Ceredigion , at 29C.

Another August bank holiday record was set as temperatures hit 31.6C in Heathrow.

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Tonight low cloud and fog along the coast are expected to move further inland as the night goes on, but forecasters say there will be some clear spells in the east, with temperatures dropping to 18C.

On Monday the low cloud and fog will clear inland, but may stay along the coasts. Otherwise it will stay dry and sunny with highs of 24C in Brighton - while temperatures reach 33C in London.

On Tuesday and Wednesday it will turn unsettled, with sunshine, showers and a risk of sunshine.

But Thursday will be drier with a return to sunny spells - before returning to more unsettled weather on Friday.

The Met Office forecast explains: "It will become more unsettled on Friday, especially in the north.

"Occasionally heavy rain or showers will be likely here, with the risk of strong winds and it will feel rather cool for the time of year.

"The south may remain dry, especially in the southeast where temperatures will be above the seasonal average.

"Over the weekend, and into the start of September, it will probably be fairly unsettled nationwide.

"The heavier rain will be most likely in the northwest, with southeastern parts receiving the longest dry and sunny spells. However, there will be a risk of thundery showers breaking out across the southeast at times. Temperatures will vary around normal, with a possibility of further warm spells."