The Extreme heat warning remains in place until Sunday, with much of England and Wales likely to see temperatures into the low-to-mid 30s Celsius, with a chance of an isolated 36C on Saturday and Sunday. The heat warning highlights the potential impacts these levels of heat can have on health, transport and infrastructure. 

Heatwave continues

Thanks to the influence of high pressure positioned over the UK the heat will continue through the weekend and heatwave criteria will continue to be met, with temperatures widely into the high 20s Celsius low 30s Celsius.   

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “Persistent high pressure over the UK means temperatures have been rising day-on-day through this week and it is important people plan for the heat. Temperatures are expected to peak at possibly 36C on Saturday and Sunday. Even beyond this, hot conditions will persist in parts of the south of the UK as far as late Monday, and it will turn increasingly humid. 

“We will also see some warm nights, with temperatures in some places staying in the low 20s Celsius.”

 

Thunderstorm warnings

Yellow thunderstorm warnings have been issued for much of the UK, begining from 1200 on Sunday in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with subsequent warnings issued for all of the UK away from the north of Scotland from early on Monday, and for much of England and Wales on Tuesday. The warnings signals the start of a change in the dominant weather type for the UK as we move into next week.  

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “The current hot weather will make way for a thundery breakdown from the west, which will spread south and east in the early part of next week. Ahead of this, isolated but intense thunderstorms are possible Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. 

“The warnings highlight the chance of some places seeing around 50mm of rain falling in a three-hour period in the north, with some areas further south possibly seeing around 30mm of rain in a three-hour period. Hail and frequent lightning are also possible as part of these downpours and represents an additional hazard.” 

With England having had its driest July since 1935 some locations, particulalry in the south, could feel grateful for some rain, but these thundery showers bring with them the chance of some surface water flooding, as the heavy rain falling on to dry ground is often not absorbed.  

Find out how to stay safe in a storm. 

Extreme heat advice

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a Level 3 Heat Health Alert, which is designed to help healthcare professional manage through periods of extreme weather. The Alert is in force through to Tuesday, with the UKHSA advising people to look out for vulnerable people, including older people, young children and those with underlying health conditions.    

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “Temperatures will feel very warm again this week, particularly in southern and central parts of the country.  

“We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather safely when it arrives, but remember that heat can have a fast impact on health.  

“It’s important to ensure that people who are more vulnerable – elderly people who live alone and people with underlying health conditions – are prepared for coping during the hot weather.  

“The most important advice is to ensure they stay hydrated, keep cool and take steps to prevent their homes from overheating.”   

Find tips for keeping cool in hot weather, as part of WeatherReady.  

Mark Hardingham, Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said "The increase in temperatures has seen fire services respond to a large number of fire and water rescue incidents. Many are preventable so we are asking the public to take steps to ensure they are keeping themselves and their communities safe.   


"In this heat please don’t use barbecues when out in the countryside or at local parks.  Be careful not discard cigarettes without making sure they are fully stubbed out and don't drop litter. In these tinder dry conditions it is very easy for a fire to start and spread quickly.  

 "Rivers, lakes and other water can still be very cold even in this hot weather. Jumping in for a swim can lead to cold water shock and accidental drowning, regardless of swimming ability. Unfortunately, this year we have seen a number of fatalities.   

"If you see a fire in the open, even a small one, or someone in trouble in the water call 999 and ask for the fire service so we can respond quickly, but we urge people to help us prevent incidents, so we all remain safe. "  

National Highways Head of Road Safety, Jeremy Phillips said: “It is always very important to plan ahead for your journey and this advice remains the same during periods of hot weather. When hot weather is forecast, please remember to take plenty of drinking water with you – enough for you and your passengers. You can visit our website to find out more information about travelling during hot weather.  

“We also advise everyone should check their vehicles, such as tyres, coolant and oil levels, before heading out.”  

Dr. Justine Shotton, President, British Veterinary Association, said: “Whilst it’s wonderful to make the most of the warm weather, please don’t forget to give some extra attention to pets, many of whom may struggle as the temperature rises. Animals need extra care during the summer to keep them safe from heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, heart conditions, breathing difficulties and sunburn, many of which can sadly be fatal. 

“Make sure animals have access to fresh drinking water, good ventilation and shade from direct sunlight at all times. Dogs especially can overheat easily, so make sure they aren’t walked or exercised in the hottest parts of the day or left inside a hot car or conservatory for even a little while. Keep an eye out for early signs of heatstroke, such as heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, and lack of coordination and contact a vet immediately in case you have any concerns.” 

You can find the latest forecast on our website, by following us on Twitter and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store. Keep track of current weather warnings on the weather warning page.