"INTENSE" hot spells are expected in Wirral this weekend.

Temperatures of up to 33C could hit parts of the country this weekend in a "short-lived but quite intense" spell of hot weather.

Warm air is set to move up from Europe on Saturday, through Sunday and into Monday, bringing with it the hotter weather.

England and Wales are expected to see temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s.

In Wirral highs of 20C are expected on Saturday while it's expected to reach up to 24C on Sunday.

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Dan Holley, said: “We expect to see a relatively brief hotter and more humid spell of weather for Sunday and Monday, before these hotter conditions recede on Tuesday, allowing more unsettled conditions to return.

“This change to hotter conditions is caused, in part, by the effects of Tropical Storm Debby in North America. Debby is helping to strengthen the jet stream, causing it to meander over the Atlantic. This will allow hot air over France to move into the UK later this weekend, and early next week.”

The weather forecast for Wirral:

Saturday:

A dull start with outbreaks of rain, but becoming drier and brighter into the afternoon with warm sunny spells and lighter winds. A few afternoon showers remain possible. Maximum temperature 22 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Sunnier and much warmer on Sunday and Monday and feeling increasingly humid with a chance of thunderstorms later. Cloudier and fresher on Tuesday with spells of rain.