Prolonged sunshine is expected today, with the mercury due to soar up to 30 degrees over the weekend.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a severe amber ‘heat-health’ warning, set to be in place from 9am today until 9am on Monday, as a plume of warm air from the south is set to push temperatures up.
The Met Office has also issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, from 2pm until 9pm on Saturday.
The warning is in place for various areas across the UK, including the midlands and both eastern and western parts of England, including the north west, south west and south east, as well as London and Wales.
The Met Office’s warning reads: “Whilst many places will be largely dry, thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail are likely to develop in some places on Saturday afternoon.
“There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings. from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds.
“Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.
“Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and possibly even cancellations to rail services.
“There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be temporarily lost."
Some areas should expect the thunderstorms to bring rain, with more than 30-40mm falling per hour, wind and in some cases, hail, while other parts will remain completely dry.
UK weather forecast
Today:
Low cloud across northern and eastern parts will gradually burn back towards the coast through the day. Plenty of sunshine elsewhere, but the risk of a few heavy showers across southwest England. Feeling warm in the sunshine.
Tonight:
The continued risk of a few sharp showers across southwest England. Dry elsewhere, with some low cloud spreading back inland from the North Sea overnight.
Saturday:
Morning cloud slowly clearing, then plenty of sunny spells. Turning increasingly hot and humid, giving way to thundery showers by the afternoon. Some localised flooding is possible.
