The public have been issued a fresh warning over the UK's latest heatwave as concern grows over a potential repeat of last month's wildfires.
Devastating blazes across England during July's record-breaking 40.3C heatwave saw a number of people lose their homes as scorching temperatures bore down on already dry grass.
And now some weather experts fear that a return to temperatures of 36C could spell more danger, with many areas in the south experiencing very little rainfall in the weeks since.
Commenting on the possibility of more fires, former Environment Agency head Dave Throup warned: "As expected the risk of wildfires increasing to highest levels during the week."
"Extreme temperatures, dry air, strong breezes & tinder dry ground providing perfect conditions."
A heat health warning, which applies to the direct health effects of hot weather, has also been issued by the Met Office for England from today (August 9).
Meteorologists say that while this week's heatwave is not expected to reach the heights of the last one, the high temperatures could last for longer — potentially into the start of the next month
The village of Odiham in Hampshire has meanwhile been named by the agency as one of the locations in the United Kingdom that experienced zero rainfall last month.
Local farmers are having to spend significant sums on buying in food for their cattle, as the community copes with zero rainfall in July.
Cara Evans, bar and events manager for the Odiham and Greywell Cricket Club, said grounds officials have had to water the wicket at least once a day to ensure it is safe to play on the hardened ground.
UK weather forecast
Today:
Most areas will be fine and dry with plenty of sunshine today and conditions will also be hotter than yesterday in most areas. Cooler, cloudier and breezy in the very far north of Scotland though, patchy rain here too.
Tonight:
A fine, warm evening for most areas. Conditions then dry with clear skies for most areas overnight, but cloudy and breezy with patchy rain over the far north of Scotland.
Wednesday:
Dry and sunny for most areas, conditions hotter than Tuesday too. Remaining cooler, cloudier and breezy with a little patchy rain for the very far north of Scotland though.
Outlook for Thursday to Saturday:
Dry and sunny for most; becoming very warm or hot, locally very hot. Cooler near some eastern/southern coasts, and also the far north; cloudier here with light rain at times.
