And now for the HEATWAVE! Health experts warn old and vulnerable to stay out of the sun when mercury hits 88F this weekend... with scorching 77F to last all month
- Millions to head to beaches and parks with experts predicting sizzling temperatures on Sunday and Monday
- Level two heat-health alert issued across England except parts of the North East, the North West and London
- Public Health England urges public to take measures to keep cool and support those who may feel at risk
Health experts are warning the elderly and vulnerable to stay out of the sun this weekend, with a heatwave expected to bring scorching temperatures of 88F.
Meteorologists predict Britain will sizzle on Sunday and Monday in particular, but the mercury is likely to remain around the 77F mark for the rest of the month.
While millions will flock to beaches and parks around the country to soak up the sun, Public Health England (PHE) has issued a heat-health warning, urging the public to take measures to keep cool and support those who may be at risk in the warm weather.
Dr Owen Landeg, scientific and technical lead at PHE, said: 'Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and for many people spells of warmer weather are something they very much enjoy.
'However, for some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks.
'That's why we're urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at risk.
'If you're able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support. Also take water with you when travelling and keep up to date with weather forecasts.
'It's also worth remembering the practical steps to keep homes cool during the day as this can aid sleeping at night and give the body time to recover from the heat.'
Sunseekers flock to the beach at Woolacombe in North Devon as a spell of scorching weather forecast to last across the country through the weekend begin
A sunseeker relaxes in the sunshine and warm weather in Battersea park, London, this morning at the start of a weekend of scorching temperatures
A graphic shows how a sweltering African plume of heat will make its way across the continent this weekend, bringing high temperatures to much of the UK
Sunseekers in Brighton soak up the rays this morning at the start of what is expected to be a sweltering weekend across the UK
Swimmers cool off in the Serpentine in Hyde Park, London today as weather forecasters predict a very warm and dry weekend
Youngsters Freddie, 4, (wearing sunglasses) and Charlie, 3, have fun building sandcastles in the glorious sunshine at Sandhaven Beach in South Shields, South Tyneside this morning
People enjoying the sunshine on Wimbledon Common as forecasters predict warm temperatures to reach over 30C this weekend
People out punting early on the river Cam in Cambridge with temperatures set to get into the high 20s and 30s over the weekend
Sunseekers in Brighton soak up the rays this morning at the start of what is expected to be a sweltering weekend across the UK
Commuters wearing summer clothes cross London Bridge this morning on a sunny start to the day in the English capital
Sunseekers flock to the beach at Woolacombe in North Devon as a spell of scorching weather forecast to last across the country through the weekend begin
A peloton of cyclists travel past Sefton Park, in Liverpool, Merseyside, as the sun begins to rise on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far
People out punting early on the river Cam in Cambridge with temperatures set to get into the high 20s and 30s over the weekend
Londoners enjoy the sunshine in Battersea Park this morning at the start of what is expected to be a sizzling weekend
Commuters make their way across London Bridge on a sunny morning in the capital, with temperatures expected to remain high throughout the weekend
A peloton of cyclists travel past Sefton Park, in Liverpool, Merseyside, as the sun begins to rise on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far
People out punting early on the river Cam in Cambridge with temperatures set to get into the high 20s and 30s over the weekend
Londoners enjoy the sunshine in Battersea Park this morning at the start of what is expected to be a sizzling weekend
Commuters make their way across London Bridge on a sunny morning in the capital, with temperatures expected to remain high throughout the weekend
A peloton of cyclists travel past Sefton Park, in Liverpool, Merseyside, as the sun begins to rise on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far
A commuter makes his way across London Bridge on a sunny morning in the capital, with temperatures expected to remain high throughout the weekend
Londoners enjoy the sunshine in Battersea Park this morning at the start of what is expected to be a sizzling weekend
A peloton of cyclists travel past Sefton Park, in Liverpool, Merseyside, as the sun begins to rise on what is expected to be the hottest day of the year so far
Commuters make their way across London Bridge on a sunny morning in the capital, with temperatures expected to remain high throughout the weekend
Londoners enjoy the sunshine in Battersea Park this morning at the start of what is expected to be a sizzling weekend
Will Lang, head of civil contingencies at the Met Office, added: 'Across most parts of the UK we're expecting to see temperatures building, reaching heatwave thresholds across the majority of England over the weekend.
'High temperatures will remain a feature of the forecast until Tuesday, when fresher conditions arrive curtailing heatwave levels.'
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office said the level two heat-health alert covers every part of England excluding parts of the North East, the North West and London and is due to last until Tuesday.
He said the highest temperatures will be 'widespread across the bulk of the UK as we go through the end of the week and into the weekend'.
PHE suggested the public should look out for those who may struggle to keep cool and hydrated, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and those who live alone.
Ways to stay safe in the heat including keeping homes cool, closing curtains, drinking plenty of fluids and staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm when UV rays are strongest.
The bookies are certainly expecting it to be a warm one, with Ladbrokes making it odds-on that the weekend will see the hottest day of the year so far recorded.
With highs of at least 30C expected, the bookies make it just 1/3 that the thermometer notches up a new record, 5/1 says the mercury hits a whopping 35C, while it's also only 6/4 that this month enters history as the hottest ever July.
Jessica O'Reilly of Ladbrokes said: 'It looks like the thermometer's only going to keep rising as the weekend goes on, easily seeing the hottest day of the year recorded.'
Wait for it....... HEAT LOCKDOWN LOOMING!!!!!!!
by OGW1966 115