London families hoping for good weather during the school half-term holiday could be disappointed.

Forecasters have predicted a gloomy few days after bursts of sunshine today and tomorrow that will see temperatures reach highs of up to 20C (68F).

People planning to head out later in the week may need to reach for their umbrellas and raincoats with heavy showers and even thunder predicted from Thursday onwards.

Marco Petagna, senior forecaster with the Met Office, said: "Today looks relatively quiet, with some cloud from the north across the day, but on the whole it will be quite dry and temperatures will be 19C or 20C - a little bit above what we would normally expect for this time of year.

"On Wednesday, things will start off warm in the south and south east, with a few showers in the north.

"But by Thursday it will be more unsettled over the next few days. There will be some heavy rain showers locally, and a few rumbles of thunder in places.

"If you get caught in one of the showers it could be quite heavy for a period of time."

He said the weather would become increasingly changeable as the week progresses, with some blustery winds on Wednesday and gales in exposed areas.