Greater Manchester weekend weather forecast - as Met Office issues red 'extreme heat' warning

We've had a scorching week in Greater Manchester - and the hot weather isn't going anywhere. People across the UK are being warned to stay hydrated and find shade where possible as we move into the coming week, when temperatures are set to hit 40 degrees in parts of the country for the first time.

In Greater Manchester, Metrolink have asked people not to travel unless essential, and schools have been urged to cancel 'potentially dangerous' sports days.

While the red severe weather warning doesn't kick in until Monday, we can still expect high temperatures across the region for the weekend.

READ MORE: Every Greater Manchester council issues advice ahead of heatwave - and how to contact them in an emergency

Forecasters say today (Saturday 16 July) will be a "dry and sunny day with long periods of sunshine for much of the day". The temperature is likely to get "very warm" in the afternoon, with highs of 25C, according to the Met Office.

Going into the evening, the weather is expected to remain largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and some clear spells. It's set to be a warm night, with lows of 14C.

Temperatures will soar over 30C across much of the country on Monday (Met Office)

Sunday is forecast to be the hottest day of the weekend, with temperatures hitting the 30C mark. The Met Office anticipate early cloud that will soon make way for plenty of sunshine, with a maximum temperature of 31C.

As we move into next week, red 'severe weather' alerts have been issued for much of the UK. This level of alert is used when the weather could cause illness in fit and healthy people, not just in high-risk groups.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health and Security Agency, said: “Heat-health alerts have now been issued to the majority of the country, with temperatures set to remain consistently high throughout the duration of the weekend and the start of next week.

People cool off at Salford Quays in the hot weather (Adam Vaughan)

“It is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm.

“If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.’’

READ NEXT:

• 'Do not travel' warning for Greater Manchester after first-ever heatwave national emergency declared

• Schools across Greater Manchester relax uniform rules amid heatwave warning

• I got a haircut for just a tenner in the Northern Quarter - it came with one warning

• 'It can take an hour to go five miles': The Greater Manchester town with gridlocked traffic and trains only twice a week

• The sleepy village where a siren rings out every month - in case there's a nuclear incident