NORTH Hampshire will continue to bask beneath bright skies and warm sunshine over the next few days as the heatwave continues.

But the Met Office has warned that thunderstorm and showers are on the way.

Today residents will need to slather themselves in sun cream with highs of up to 30-degrees Celsius forecast but come 5pm, lightening is set to strike.

The forecast predicts thunderstorms, lightening and heavy rain between 5pm and 6pm this evening, July 19, followed by a period of cloud.

After a brief downpour temperatures will pick back up and the hot spell is set to continue on Tuesday (July 20) with similar conditions.

Whilst the heat will remain the same, residents might want to head inside between 12pm and 2pm tomorrow as another spate of thunder, lightening and showers is forecast to hit North Hampshire.

The weather will then settle and remain bright and sunny with temperatures of around 27-degrees Celsius until Friday.

The Met Office full forecast:

Today:

A mainly dry day with long periods of sunshine once any early cloud burns back to the coast. Low chance of isolated heavy showers in the afternoon, mainly in the west. Very warm or hot inland, cooler near coasts. Maximum temperature 32 °C.

Tonight:

Staying dry after dusk with clear skies across the region, with these continuing into the early hours of Tuesday. A very mild night. Minimum temperature 16 °C.

Tuesday:

A mainly dry day on Tuesday, with long periods of sunshine. Isolated heavy showers may develop during the afternoon, mainly in the west. Very warm or locally hot. Maximum temperature 30 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Mainly dry again Wednesday and Thursday with long spells of sunshine, possible afternoon showers mainly in west. Dry Friday with occasionally hazy sunshine. Warm or very warm throughout.