Yellow heat health alerts have been issued across southern England and the Midlands from today, with temperatures expected to reach 30C in places while others see a spell of rainfall.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued alerts for the East and West Midlands, East of England, London, South East England and South West England from 9am this morning until 9am on Sunday.
Minor impacts to health are expected across the weekend, with an increased risk to life for vulnerable people.
With named regions forecast to experience high temperatures, parts of the UK will also see rain this weekend, after a drought was officially declared for large parts of north and mid-Wales yesterday.
Other areas of Wales, along with much of central, southern and eastern England, are in the “prolonged dry weather” category – one stage below a drought.
As a result of the dry conditions of late, millions of Britons are under a hosepipe ban, with the demand for water in households, agriculture and sanitation surpassing supply.
Central, southern and eastern parts of England will see highs of up to 28C, with some areas including London expected to reach 30C.
Parts of east Wales could also climb into the high 20s, with other areas of Wales and northern England forecast for temperatures up to 25C.
Parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland will also see highs of 23C, with patchy rain expected later this afternoon.
Temperatures are expected to slowly drop over the weekend down into the low twenties, with a chance that heatwave conditions could return into next week.
Heatwave conditions have continued for 19 consecutive days so far this month, with the most consistent high temperatures at Usk in Monmouthshire and Exeter in Devon.
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Steve Willington, Met Office chief forecaster, said: “The high pressure has been a key feature of the UK’s weather forecast over the last few weeks, bringing above-average temperatures and extremely dry conditions for many.
“However, we will begin to see a modest change as a weak weather front pushes south across the UK on Saturday bringing some much-needed rain, albeit it light and mainly concentrated in the north and west.
“Behind the front a showery air mass will bring potentially heavy showers some of which may be thundery.”
Greg Wolverson, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, added: “Fresher conditions will prevail from Sunday onwards, but temperatures will remain around average for the time of year.”
“Although there is a return to rain in the forecast, we have just come out of an exceptionally dry spell and the forecast rain is unlikely to be widespread or substantial.
“Many areas are likely to continue experiencing prevailing dry conditions for the foreseeable future, especially in southern England.”
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has urged people not to use disposable barbecues over fears of the dry heat leading to fires.
The Metropolitan Police is worried about excessive calls, while NHS England has also said many of its ambulance services will be under “sustained pressure” due to the extreme heat.
The Met has urged people to avoid getting in touch for non-emergencies amid a surge in 999 calls during the hot weather.
Meanwhile, Lee Pooley, Head of Safety at Paddle UK said: “Our rescue data with the RNLI consistently shows that offshore winds are a primary cause of emergency callouts.
“We strongly advise everyone to check the weather and wind direction before heading out, and if the wind is blowing away from the shore, do not go.”
Some climatologists predict the temperatures the UK has been experiencing could become the new normal for summer over the next few decades as a result of climate change.
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