Wales basks in September sun - but will it last?

Wales is set to bask in sunshine as temperatures soar on Tuesday - but enjoy it while it lasts.

Parts of south-east Wales will hit 28C (82.4F) - with Monmouthshire tipped to be the warmest area.

Ambulance crews have urged the public to take care in the heat after more than 4,000 emergency calls over the last weekend - one every 40 seconds.

But forecasters said the weather will break on Wednesday, with a warning issued for thunderstorms.

Temperatures reached 27C (81F) on Monday in Cardiff, Monmouthshire and Powys, making it the warmest day in Wales since late July.

It followed a cool and cloudy August, with average temperatures of 16.5C (61.7F).

The Welsh Ambulance Service said it needed the public's help to "ensure that the pressures we face are not exacerbated by the weather".

"Hot weather means your body has to work harder to keep its core temperature to normal levels, and this puts extra strain on your heart, lungs and kidneys," said Lee Brooks, the ambulance trust's director of operations.

"This means that you can be at greater risk if you have a pre-existing heart or respiratory condition, like asthma or angina.

"It's really important to keep cool and stay hydrated, and if you're out and about, please look after yourself and those with you."

The mini-heatwave has also prompted the RNLI to ask people to "keep safe" if they were heading out on the coast.

'Many of us will be looking forward to enjoying some late summer sun before we head into autumn but it's so important we know how to keep ourselves and our families safe," said one of the lifesaving charity's officials.

'We urge people to be aware of the dangers of the coast and what to do in an emergency."

Meteorologist Claire Nasir said she expected temperatures to be higher in Wales on Tuesday and Wednesday, before slowly waning as the week progresses.

"Temperature today could be higher than yesterday," she told BBC Radio Wales.

"It's a blessing really, because the kids have gone back to school, the beaches will be a bit emptier, and those of us who can step out, can enjoy some beautiful blue sky and high temperatures - which is not a bad thing."

Across other parts of the UK, temperatures could be even higher, with Met Office forecasters predicting highs of up to 30C (86F) for some parts of central and eastern England.

But despite the glorious weather, no-one is expecting records to be broken.

The highest temperature so far this year in Wales was 31.2C (88.1F) at Gogerddan, near Aberystwyth on 22 July.

Wales record temperature recorded was 35.2C (95.4F) back in August 1990 at Hawarden Bridge in Flintshire, while the top temperature for September in Wales was 32.3C (90F) in the same spot - but you have to go back to 1906 for that - one of the UK's most exceptional heatwaves on record.

Sun lovers are being urged to make the most of the conditions, with a weather warning for thunderstorms issued by the Met Office for Wednesday.

An area of showers is expected to mover north across south-west England and into south Wales during the morning.

Forecasters said while many areas will see little rainfall, there is a chance of some heavy and thundery downpours developing, with lightning, particularly in the afternoon.

In those areas hit, there could be up to 50mm (2in) of rain, though the Met Office said "only a few spots" would see that much.

The warning is in force from 10:00 BST on Wednesday until 20:00, covering south and south-west Wales.

A second thunderstorm warning has also been issued for the whole of Wales on Thursday, between 11:00 and 20:00.