The Met Office has extended the amber extreme heat warning to Monday, 18 July, as temperatures could be over 35°C in some southern parts of England. More widely, temperatures are expected to reach 32°C.
An amber weather warning for extreme heat has been issued across a large part of the UK, inculding Oxfordshire, ahead of further soaring temperatures this week.
The rare warning was first issued last July. It states that there could be a danger to life or potential serious illness as a result of the scorching temperatures.
Other issues could include road closures and delays or cancellations to rail and air travel.
The Met Office, which issued the warning, said it is in place from 12.01am on Sunday to 11.59pm, when temperatures are predicted to soar into the 30s.
The forecaster added that it could be extended to Monday next week.
It is being enforced across the East Midlands, east of England, London, South East, North East, North West, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber.
A statement from the Met Office said: “Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.
“Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice.
“Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines (are) likely to be required.
“Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers, leading to increased risk of water safety incidents.
“Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays.”
⚠️⚠️Amber Weather Warning issued⚠️⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 11, 2022
This rare Extreme Heat warning covers much of England and parts of Wales 📈
Exceptionally high temperatures are possible from Sunday, lasting into early next week #heatwave 🌡️
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/Ahe0nxK4aU
The extreme heat weather warning system ranges from yellow to red and indicates how likely and how much of an impact the weather will have on public life.
An amber warning states that temperatures are likely to have a high impact.
Network Rail has warned speed restrictions are likely to be in place this week on some parts of the network most affected by the hot weather.
It adds that this helps because slower trains exert less force on the track and reduce the likelihood of buckling, avoiding the major disruption caused by a buckled rail.
Fire services have also urged people to have picnics instead of barbecues during the warm weather after a spate of grass fires.
Meanwhile The AA Driving School and RAC have said motorists should carry water with them, start their journeys earlier in the day, plan their routes and check their vehicles before setting off on any journeys.
The whole of England is largely expected to experience sunny days with some cloud over the next week to match the temperatures of mid to high 20s.
It will cool off a little on Friday, with the north-west and north-east of England predicted to have some rain with temperatures reaching highs of 19°C, ahead of a warmer weekend.
Temperatures are then expected to spike to 32°C on Sunday and in excess of 35°C in the southeast.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are predicted to have a cloudier week ahead, with rain forecast for Tuesday and Friday.
Clouds with sunny spells could be widespread across the two areas for the rest of the week, with temperatures remaining in the mid to high teens throughout the week.
They will also benefit from the scorching weekend temperatures ahead alongside some cloud, with highs of 22°C predicted in Glasgow and Belfast.
Weather forecasting models suggest it is possible – though not likely – temperatures could reach 40°C in the UK next weekend, which would break the current British temperature record of 38.7°C, set in Cambridge in July 2019.
However, a spokeswoman for the Met Office said it takes computer modelling into consideration when making its predictions, and it believes the warmest weather will not reach 40°C.
A Level Three Heat Health Alert has also been issued by the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from 9.00am on Monday to 9.00am on Friday in the east and south east of England, with the rest of the nation having a level 2 alert in place.
The four-level system highlights the potential health impacts of these high temperatures.
