UK weather: Health alert issued as Britain prepares for another scorcher this weekend
The warning urges people to be alert for the potential of heath problems as a result of the high temperatures.
Tuesday 4 August 2020 10:44, UK
A health alert has been issued for the South East ahead of high temperatures this weekend.
A level two warning, issued by the Met Office, is triggered when the risk of heat-related health problems is higher than 60%.
The warning is in place from midday on Thursday until 9am on Sunday.
"A spell of hot and sunny weather is likely to develop through Thursday and Friday with temperatures most likely peaking on Friday in South East England," the Met Office says.
"The heat may continue for some on Saturday but there is currently low confidence for the longevity of this expected hot spell."
Temperatures are set to reach as high as 36C (96.8F).
The high temperatures are the result of southerly winds moving from Europe and high pressure patterns that are set to kick in from around Thursday.
The predicted warm weather comes after the UK recorded its third hottest day on record last Friday, when the mercury topped 37.8C (100F) at Heathrow Airport.
Met Office forecaster Bonnie Diamond said there will be a "warm spell across the UK", with the highest temperatures "focused in the South East of England".
"At the minute and with high confidence, we are expecting 34C to 36C (93.2F to 96.8F) by Friday and Saturday," Ms Diamond added.
On Tuesday, heavy rain is forecast in Northern Ireland and Scotland, while southern parts of the UK continue to enjoy sunny spells.
Yellow weather warnings are in place in parts of central and eastern Scotland for Tuesday, with threats of flooding and localised disruption.
By Wednesday, the weather will start to settle down, Ms Diamond said, adding: "It is going to turn hot across the South East, where temperatures are going to be well into the 30s."
However, the heat could trigger thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday.
The highest UK temperature on record remains 38.7C (102F), which was recorded on 25 July 2019 in Cambridge University Botanic Garden.