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Brits are set to enjoy a glorious bout of warm weather today as temperatures surge.
The Met Office issued an amber alert warning people to watch out for heatstroke ahead of 30C temperatures when an ‘Iberian Plume’ sweeps the country.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has upgraded an alert for hot weather in five regions of the country as warnings have also been issued for thunderstorms over the weekend.
A priest in Stoke-on-Trent has even offered Christ Church, Tunstall, as a cool space to evade the hot weather.
Parts of the country are predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife in the coming days as a ‘plume of warm air’ moves in from the south, with temperatures likely to soar to 28C.
DORSET: Alice Francis braves an ice bath at the Retreat New Forest in Christchurch
LONDON BRIDGE: Commuters walking across the bridge to work todayÂ
HYDE PARK: Sun-seekers enjoy the warm weather in London’s Hyde Park today
The mercury is set to reach the high 20s in parts of the UK today (left). Tomorrow (right) temperatures will be even higher, the Met Office predicted
The UKHSA initially issued yellow warnings for parts of England on Wednesday and has now raised the level to amber for the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and South West.Â
It means the impact of the heat is ‘likely to be felt across the whole health service… and the wider population, not just the most vulnerable’.
Yellow alerts are less serious, and are used to warn that there may be some disruption to services due to weather conditions.
A further yellow alert was issued by the UKHSA on Thursday for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions of England, while a yellow alert for London issued on Wednesday remains in place.
All alerts come into force from 9am on Friday June 9, to 9am on Monday June 12.
Dr Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA said: ‘In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.
PORTSMOUTH: A couple were enjoying the gorgeous summer weather as they sunbathed by the Hot Walls
PORTSMOUTH: Families were seen relaxing on the beach as they took in the incredible weather
PORTSMOUTH: Parts of the country are predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife in the coming days as a ‘plume of warm air’ moves in from the south, with temperatures likely to soar to 28C
‘Forecasted temperatures this week will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
‘If you have friends, family or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, it is important you check in on them.
‘You should ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.’
Meanwhile, the Met Office said most of Wales is set to see ‘long sunny spells’ on Friday, before temperatures climb to 25C over the weekend when there will be ‘thundery’ showers.
PORTSMOUTH: One man was looking rather red after a morning lounging in the sun
PORTSMOUTH: This man decided to keep his socks on during his dalliance with the sun earlier today
LONDON: People were lathering on the suncream as they enjoyed the toasty temperatures in Hyde ParkÂ
SOUTHSEA: Metal detecting enthusiast Chris Outrim, 66, enjoying the warm weather this morning on Southsea Beach, Hampshire
A yellow alert was also issued by the Met Office on Thursday for thunderstorms, covering Wales and south and western England, between 2pm and 9pm on Saturday June 10.
The weekend’s high temperatures are expected to trigger showers, the Met Office said, some of which could be ‘torrential and thundery’, with more than 30-40mm potentially falling within an hour.
Rain, hail, wind and lightning are also predicted to hit some areas, although others parts of the country will see no rain at all.
Sunseekers packed out Britain’s beauty spots yesterday to bathe in 24C sunshine while revellers flock to Download music festival ahead of this weekend’s hot weather.Â
Revellers basked in the sun on Thursday as they arrived at Download Festival, in Castle Donnington, while sunbathers were seen in Green Park, London.Â
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The British Red Cross has urged people to take steps to protect their health during hot weather forecast for this weekend.
The charity warned hot temperatures posed a serious risk.
Previous research by British Red Cross showed most people, including people in at-risk categories, didn’t see themselves as vulnerable to the impact of heatwaves.
However, the majority of the public have experienced adverse health effects from hot weather in the UK.Â
The charity’s Crisis and Emergency Response chief, Chris Davies, said: “Heat waves are becoming more frequent, and all of us will have to find ways to manage the health risks.Â
‘We know there’s still a perception gap in the UK, with people not realising the danger hot temperatures can pose. But there are some simple steps we can all take to look out for people around us.
“We all know the basic advice: avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of water, wear and reapply sunscreen.Â
‘You can also keep your home cool by closing windows and blinds during the hottest part of the day, and opening them at night or early morning when it’s cooler.
“Some groups are at particularly high risk during hot weather: older people, babies and children, anyone who is pregnant or has a chronic health condition, and people who live on the top floors of buildings.Â
‘If you’re in any of these groups, it’s especially important to look after yourself in the coming days.’
Oliver Clayden, from the Met Office, said there could be some travel disruption over the weekend.
He said: ‘After a prolonged dry spell there is a chance of surface water flooding.
‘There could be some surface water issues that could cause travel disruptions as well as the high gusts across parts of the country.’
Mr Clayden added: ‘This is going to be the warmest weekend of the year, which is to be expected as we go into summer.
‘This weekend will also see hail mixed in with strong gusts of wind and rain hit parts of the country.’
The Met Office defines a heatwave as when a location records a period for at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold.
A heat health warning over the weekend for parts of England has been upgraded from yellow to amber by the UK Health Security Agency
A 30C heatwave forecast to scorch England and Wales this weekend may also feature thunderstorms
The threshold varies by UK county, ranging between 25C and 28C in areas in England and Wales.
Dan Harris, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: ‘Temperatures will rise later this week and into the weekend, with a plume of warm air being drawn in from the south.
‘Temperatures over the weekend could peak (at) around 30C in some parts of England and remain well above average overnight through the weekend.
‘Coupled with the rise in temperatures is an increase in the likelihood of some potentially heavy and thundery showers, which could bring some localised disruption for some from late on Friday and into the weekend.’
Experts have warned households to consider rocketing electricity prices when reaching for a fan as the year’s first heatwave arrives.Â
The cost of keeping cool has risen by more than 75 per cent in the past two years as prices have soared during the energy crisis.Â
Allergy-hit Brits also face a triple-whammy of misery with blistering heat, soaring pollen counts and storms to trigger ‘thunder fever’.Â
Boiling temperatures on Saturday will kick-start a thunder and lightning explosion as pollen counts rocket to ‘very high’.
Lightning will split irritant dust into highly potent particles, filling the air with clouds of ‘super pollen’.
Max Wiseberg, airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax allergen barrier balms, said: ‘Warm, sunny weather generally means higher pollen counts.
‘Thunderstorms can cause a phenomenon called ‘thunder fever’ meaning the stormy weather will not give sufferers the respite they might expect.
‘Storms cause great movements in the air, bringing pollen grains down which might have otherwise risen above head height out of harm’s way, and whipping up pollen grains near the ground.’
Humidity and lightning during thunderstorms can break pollen grains into more powerful allergens, he warned.
He said: ‘According to a report in The European Respiratory review, humidity and lightning breaks pollen grains into smaller allergenic particles.
‘One pollen grain becomes two which instantly raises the pollen count.
‘These new pollen grains also turn into a kind of ‘super-pollen’ which appears to be more allergenic than normal pollen, causing more severe reactions in sufferers.’
Those who escape the worst of the weekend pollen deluge could come under fire from giant hailstones.
James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: ‘The potential for the development of some widespread thunderstorms this weekend will intensify in an unstable atmosphere.
‘Some of these could contain unusually large hailstones.’