A heat health alert has been issued for much of England this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach 30C (86F) on Saturday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued a yellow heat-health alert to six regions in England: London, the south east, East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
The alert will be in place from midday on Friday until 9am on Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of 27C to 28C on Friday before they rise to 30C in parts of the country on Saturday.
Forecasters predict the high temperatures to be short-lived, with thunderstorms following the heatwave but, should the high temperatures be reached, it is likely there will be an impact on the health and social care sector.
It comes after experts revealed that Monday was the hottest day since records began, with the average global temperature soaring to 17.01°C (62.62°F), a jump from the 16.92°C (62.46°F) high recorded in August 2016.
Tuesday then was then 0.17C hotter, according to University of Maine scientists at the Climate Reanalyser project.
A heat health alert has been issued for much of England this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach 30C (86F) on Saturday. Above: Sunbathers on the beach enjoying the hot afternoon sunshine and clear blue skies at the seaside resort of Weymouth in Dorset today
A yellow warning from the UKHSA means it is likely there will be an increase in the use of health care services by the vulnerable and an increase in risk to health for individuals over 65 or those who have pre-existing health conditions.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: ‘This weekend, it’s important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.
‘The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived, but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.
‘If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.’
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: ‘Temperatures will be on the rise from Friday, with a plume of continental air allowing temperatures to reach, and perhaps locally exceed, 30C in parts of England on Friday and Saturday.
‘In addition, temperatures overnight will remain high, especially in towns and cities, which will make for an uncomfortably warm night for some.
‘Temperatures are likely to start to drop from the west on Saturday and more widely into Sunday, as showers and thunderstorms sweep north-east across the country.’
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued a yellow heat-health alert to six regions in England: London, the south east, East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber. Above: A sunbather in Weymouth, Dorset today
Vicky Elms, event coordinator at Lordington Lavender farm, is seen today inspecting the rows of Mailette lavender which were planted during lockdown, ahead of their open week which runs from July 12 to 16 on the farm near Chichester, West Sussex
Researchers have pinned rising temperatures on El Niño, a climate-heating natural weather event that last appeared in 2016, and growing carbon emissions.
The double whammy made Monday the warmest day since satellite monitoring records started tracking global averages in 1979.
Average temperatures were also at their highest since data collection on weather began towards the end of the 19th century, experts believe.
Professor Friederike Otto, senior lecturer at Imperial College London, said: ‘This is not a milestone we should [celebrate]. It’s a death sentence for people and ecosystems.’
Average temperatures across the planet were 2.63°F (1.46°C) higher this June than they were in the period between 1850 and 1900.
Beijing reported nine straight days last week when the temperature exceeded 35C.
‘The increasing heating of our planet caused by fossil fuel use is not unexpected.
‘It was predicted already in the 19th century after all,’ said climate scientist Stefan Rahmstorf at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research in Germany.
‘But it is dangerous for us humans and for the ecosystems we depend on. We need to stop it fast.’
