Temperatures are set to remain high as the July heatwave continues this weekend, with heat health alerts still in force for nearly all of England.
North-easterly winds have shifted the heat and humidity further north over the last two days, meaning temperatures in the high twenties and low to mid thirties is expected from the South East England across the west Midlands and beyond.
Yesterday was the sixth day this year to see temperatures exceed 35C, making it a record for the most 35C days in a calendar year.
Amber and yellow heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency remain in place across large parts of England until 9pm on Sunday – with high risk of heatstroke or heat exhaustion for vulnerable Britons.
Later today, the highest temperatures will be in the West Midlands, South East Wales and parts of southern England, reaching heights of up to 33C, according to the Met Office.
North Sea coasts from Northumberland to Suffolk could remain cloudy and misty today, but should be much sunnier tomorrow.
Scotland and Northern Ireland will also see more cloud, with temperatures of 23C to 24C at best.
On Sunday, as the wind strengthens, temperatures will be a few degrees lower still in England and Wales – but could still reach 30C in southern England.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has urged people not to use disposable barbecues over the weekend over fears of the dry heat leading to fires.
The Metropolitan Police is also worried about excessive calls, with England set to play Norway in a quarter-final of the Fifa World Cup on later tonight.
The Met has urged people to avoid getting in touch for non-emergencies amid a surge in 999 calls during the hot weather.
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Met Office deputy chief forecaster David Hayter, said: “Areas of central and southern England and Wales are expected to see several more consecutive days of temperatures above 30C.
“While temperatures are expected to reach into the low to mid-30s through the weekend, the focus of the heat will gradually shift towards western parts of the UK.
“This will also bring some slightly cooler and cloudier conditions to eastern coastal areas than of recent days. It will also turn windier across southern areas, bringing breezier conditions, especially along coasts and headlands.
“The main exception to the largely dry and sunny conditions is northern Scotland, where a cold front is bringing rain, cloud and some heavy downpours on Friday. But conditions are expected to improve over the weekend.
“There is a possible increase in thunderstorms from Monday in parts of the south, however most areas will remain dry, sunny and very warm into the coming week.”
NHS England has also said many of its ambulance services will be under “sustained pressure” due to the extreme heat this weekend.
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS national medical director, said people, especially children, the elderly and those with existing health conditions, should “take the weather seriously”, while others should also look out for anyone who may be vulnerable.
She added: “The extreme heat means that many of our ambulance services are under sustained pressure, but as always, patients should always call 999 in a life-threatening emergency or 111 if less urgent.”
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