Britain's heatwave is set to continue until next week: Yellow heat alert is extended to Monday as 30C temperatures set to stifle Britain over the weekend
A yellow heat alert has been extended until Monday, with temperatures expected to hit 30C over the weekend.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said yellow warnings will now be in place for Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, London and the South East, South West and east of England until 6pm on August 18 .
Meanwhile the Met Office has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms in the north-eastern Scotland, which could see up to 70mm of rain fall in two hours.
The warning has also been issued for Northern Ireland, which could also see up to 50mm of rain.
The warnings are in place until 10pm on Thursday. In Scotland, flood alerts have also been issued.
The Met Office has warned of difficult driving conditions and possible disruption to public transport and power supplies, and of a risk of flooding to homes and businesses.
The forecaster also said fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life.
People swim at London Fields Lido outdoor swimming pool during a warm day in London
Hot weather this year has made a significant impact on roads across the country.
The AA said they have witnessed a spike in pothole callouts compared to last year due to the warm weather.
They were called to just over 50,000 incidents, a two per cent rise over July 2024 incidents.
The rise is believed to be linked to hotter summer weather, which the AA said may be 'may be exacerbating road surface weaknesses and increasing the risk of tyre damage'.
Edmund King, AA president, said: 'This summer's heatwave has starkly exposed the fragility of Britain's roads.
'While investment and repair campaigns have made a difference, the recent setback illustrates that much more must be done to create a safe and reliable road network for everyone.
'We urge the government and local authorities to redouble their efforts in tackling the pothole crisis, prioritising rural routes and frequently used cycling and motorcycling corridors.'
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said heavy thundery showers or rain may affect the region on Thursday, with a risk of significant localised flooding from surface water and smaller rivers.
Heavy rain and thunder hit London and Kent on Wednesday.
But officials have said England is suffering from 'nationally significant' water shortfalls.
The national drought group, which includes the Met Office, regulators, government, water companies and other organisations, has met as five areas of the country remain in drought, with six more in prolonged dry weather status.
On Thursday there will be residual showers and isolated thunderstorms across the South East, gradually clearing, and lightning, hail and heavy rain drifting northwards from Scotland into the Northern Isles.
Paul Gundersen, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Some areas will continue to experience their fourth heatwave of the summer so far, with Thursday remaining warm or very warm for many, though cooler near coasts.
'Temperatures could still reach 30C in eastern England, though many areas will be a few degrees cooler than earlier in the week.'
Northern England will have patchy rain and cloud on Friday while southern England will enjoy sunshine and temperatures of up to 31C.
The weekend should be dry and sunny for most parts of the UK, climbing to 30C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday in south-west England.
a moorland fire which has been burning for two days near an RAF base, has been declared a major incident.
The fire seervice says the blaze has spread to five square kilometers
In North Yorkshire, a moorland fire which has been burning for two days near an RAF base, has been declared a major incident.
Crews were first called to Langdale moor on Monday, by Tuesday morning the fire covered 300 x 300m, growing to one square kilometer by the afternoon, The Mirror reported.
By Wednesday, six fire engines and all-terrain vehicles had been called in to fight the blaze.
Fire crews said it was covering around 5 square kilometers.
On Friday, with temperatures in London expected to hit 30C, the capital will be as hot as Ibiza.
It has led to renewed calls for a maximum working temperature, with some Brits looking to get a day in the sun rather than the office.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has previously been supportive of the idea and in 2022 told the Conservative Government to issue 'urgent guidance' on safe indoor working temperatures.
She said: 'We need urgent guidance for safe indoor working temperatures and the Government must ensure employers allow staff to work flexibly in this heat. Where is their plan to keep people safe?'
She was one of five current cabinet ministers who supported the introduction of a maximum working temperature, The Telegraph reported.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Foreign Secretary David Lammy were also among 82 MPs who put their names to the motion in 2016, when Theresa May was Prime Minister.
It said workers in Britain 'lack adequate legal safeguards from working in uncomfortably high temperatures, owing to the lack of a statutory maximum temperature at which employers would have to introduce control measures '.
Football fans will have to stock up on suncream as the Premier League season returns this weekend.
The Met Office has revealed the forecast for each of the opening matches.
Fulham's trip to Brighton at 3pm on Saturday and Manchester City's 5.30pm trip to Wolves are set to be the hottest fixtures, with temperatures of around 25C expected for fans.
In the capital, Tottenham host Burnley at 3pm on Saturday, while Chelsea will welcome Crystal Palace at 2pm on Sunday. Both days are expected to be dry and sunny with highs of 25C.
Marginally cooler at 23C, Liverpool's curtain raiser against Bournemouth on Friday night as well as Brentford's trip to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United's heated game against Arsenal, both at 2pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the northeast is set for a cooler day on Saturday, with highs of 18C as newly-promoted Sunderland begin their campaign against West Ham at 3pm.
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: 'Overall, the opening weekend of the Premier League season is set to be dominated by warm, dry, and settled weather across most regions. Variable cloud may limit sunshine at times, but conditions are generally favourable for football.'
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