A rare amber weather warning for extreme heat is in effect across a large swathe of the UK on Thursday, with temperatures set to soar as high as 38C (100F).
Thursday will mark the peak of the UK's fifth widespread heatwave this year, with temperatures to be in the mid-30s Celsius across most of the warning area.
Amber heat health alerts, external, which warn of significant impacts to health and social care services, are also in force for the entirety of England until 21:00 BST on Friday.
The searing heat could lead to power cuts, rail and air travel delays, and cause serious health impacts such as dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Amber extreme heat warning from the Met Office
The extreme heat warning will be in force until 23:59 BST across Eastern England, London and the south-east, the Midlands, north-west England, south-west England and parts of Yorkshire and Humber.
It will run alongside amber heat health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency across the entirety of England.
In effect until 21:00 BST on 14 August, these warn of significant impacts across health and social care services, including a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.
Adding to the risks associated with the heatwave, a few tropical nights – where temperatures fail to drop below 20C – are also on the cards as increasingly humid air spreads into western areas.
The cumulative effect of persistent heat by day and night can place additional stress on the body.
Fortunately, this heatwave is likely to be short-lived, lasting three days at most.
Temperatures will begin to fall away by the weekend, although at their lowest they will still be average or a little above average for mid-August.
Forecast temperatures for the peak of the heat on Thursday
There are likely to be long-standing temperature records broken over the coming days, adding to a list of records already set this year.
Wednesday became the first day in August to reach 35C or more, making it the 4th consecutive month to reach this temperature.
