Weather: hot week ahead

Children having fun in the sun

Met Office meteorologists are forecasting a very warm, occasionally hot and humid, for the next few days with temperatures expected to be at their highest on Wednesday.

This 'heatwave' will only last a day or two, with temperatures dropping slightly by Thursday.

The heat will start to build tomorrow (Tuesday 30 June) as a tropical continental airmass from mainland Europe begins to dominate our weather. Temperatures across Iberia reached 43.7 °C at Cordoba yesterday and are expected to continue to reach the low 40's Celsius here and in southern France with northern France seeing temperatures into the mid to high 30s Celsius.

Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Laura Paterson said: "Both Tuesday and Wednesday nights are expected to be warm and humid temperatures remaining in the high teens in many places.

"The very warm air means there is a risk of us seeing thunderstorms on Wednesday or Thursday but the exact timing and location of those storms, if they happen, is uncertain at the moment. Check our five day forecast for the latest weather information".

While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous and Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection at Public Health England (PHE), said: "Older people and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it's important to look out for them, help them stay hydrated with plenty of cool drinks, and keep indoor areas as cool as possible.

"Try to keep bedroom and living spaces cool, by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and open your windows at cooler times of the day and overnight. A trip to a park where there's lots of shade or a public building that is air conditioned, may help offer some relief from the heat for vulnerable people."

Temperatures are expected to dip slightly on Thursday, before rising again from the south later Friday and Saturday. This could again result in thunderstorms breaking out, mainly in central and southeastern parts of Britain, though isolated storms can't be ruled out elsewhere.

It looks like warm and humid spells of weather could continue into next week.