Parts of the UK will bake under another heatwave beginning this weekend, with health alerts in place for vulnerable people.
Temperatures in the south could reach 28°C today, according to the Met Office, and a week-long warning from health officials comes into force at midday in parts of the UK, saying high temperatures over the coming days could cause a greater risk to life for vulnerable people.
Meanwhile, Southern Water has issued a hosepipe pan from 12.01am on July 10 in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.
And South East Water’s temporary hosepipe ban for people living in Kent came into force on Friday.
The Met Office said temperatures are forecast to rise to 29°C on Sunday, then approach the low 30s next week before a peak of 34°C on Thursday or Friday in the South East.
It is expected to be a prolonged spell of hot weather in parts of the UK, but it will not be as hot and humid as last month’s heatwave, the forecaster added.
Yellow heat health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), covering the East Midlands, east, south-east and south-west of England, including London, and the West Midlands, from midday on Saturday until 8pm on July 11.
The agency said that within the warning area, minor impacts were likely across health and social care services because of the high temperatures, including increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and a greater risk to life to the same group.
It also warned of a potential increase in water-related incidents, including risks from cold water shock and drowning.
Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: ‘We have got a heatwave on the way across parts of southern England and Wales, temperatures are already quite high across the South East today, we could get 28°C in London.
‘Elsewhere, it’s not as hot as we have got temperatures closer to average but they will climb as we go into next week.
‘The northern areas of the country will be cloudier with spells of rain at times, so there’s a north/south split.