The Met Office has warned the UK could see temperatures climb to as high as 34C this week as the fourth heatwave of the summer is set to sweep the country.
The forecaster predicted Monday will see highs of 31C, before the heatwave peaks on Tuesday, with areas seeing temperatures reach 33C or 34C.
It is then set to remain hot throughout the week, according to the weather service, with temperatures reaching 32 or 33C on Wednesday, and 29C or 30C on Thursday and Friday.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst told The Independent: “The heatwave is looking likely to last the rest of the week. Beyond that, it should be a bit cooler.”
The UK Health Security Agency has issued a yellow heat health alert from 12pm on Monday until 6pm on Wednesday, covering London, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the east of England, the South East and the South West.
There could be a significant impact across health and social care services, including the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
Mr Dewhurst said warm conditions are expected to last well into September. Although he did warn: “Through the week ahead, there is a risk of thunderstorms at times, with the heat and humidity.”
But Britons can expect a “largely dry and settled” August, he said, with temperatures looking to remain above average, particularly in the south of the UK.
“There is an overall picture of high pressure, and a settled month seems to be main theme,” Mr Dewhurst said, despite some potentially chillier winds hitting the eastern coast. “But I wouldn’t write off summer just yet”.
Forecasters said there is also a risk of infrequent outbreaks of rain alongside the high temperatures. The Met Office added that, in addition to high daytime heat, warm nights are also likely in southeastern parts of the UK.
They add that there is a chance of a tropical night in a few places, where temperatures do not drop below 20C overnight.
Mr Dewhurst said: “Into Wednesday, we just start to see the high pressure edge away a bit.
“It allows the low pressure to the west to edge in a bit, so with a bit more cloud, temperatures may just be a bit lower, but we could still see it as high as the low 30s.
“On Thursday, temperatures are set to peak around 29C, again with a bit more cloud around and a few showers, before a drier Friday with sunny spells ahead of the weekend.”
Emergency services are already having to respond to the rising heat and ongoing dry conditions.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Saturday as about 100 firefighters battled a fire in Holt Heath, near Wimborne, while crews have continued tackling a large blaze at Newton Heath, near Swanage, which has been burning since last Sunday.
And firefighters continue to battle a blaze at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, with dramatic pictures showing flames raging on the hill.
