The UK has been treated to an unusually hot sunny spell this week, bringing temperatures in excess of 30C to some southern areas.
The heatwave began on Wednesday, with the settled conditions 'allowing temperatures to build day-on-day with the hottest temperatures expected to be reached by Friday for many,' according to the Met Office.
Some parts of the southern half of the UK may reach a boiling 34C on Friday. In Greater Manchester, it will peak at around 27C. A Level 3 Heat-Health Alert has been issued for the much of the South East and eastern England, with a Level 2 Alert in place for the South West and East Midlands, with a Level 1 Alert for the West Midlands and northern England.
Read more: How hot it will get in Manchester today - hour by hour weather forecast
Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at the UK Health Security Agency, has warned that people should be aware of how to cope in warmer conditions. Mr Sousa said: "During periods of hot weather, it is especially important to keep checking on those who are most vulnerable, such as older people and those with heart or lung conditions. Make sure to look out for signs of heat exhaustion and follow our simple health advice to beat the heat.”
But just how long will the scorching hot weather last for? According to the Met Office, this spell of weather is likely to be 'short-lived,' thanks to a cold front from the north bringing temperatures back down to normal over the weekend.
And just how soon this might happen will depend on where you're based. The Met Office says: "A cold front will push across the country from the north as we go through the weekend bringing a return to average temperatures for most.
"However, there is some uncertainty around how quickly this front will move south and therefore how long the highest temperatures will remain. Areas in the far South East are currently expected to hold on to the warmth the longest, with highs of 29°C in East Sussex and Kent possible on Saturday."
On the record temperatures to be seen on Friday, the Met Office revealed it is 'still relatively unusual' to reach the mid 30Cs in June. "You have to go back to 1976 for the highest recorded June UK temperature (with records dating from 1884)," it said. "35.6°C was reached at Southampton Mayflower Park on 28th June 1976."
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