UK weather today: Exact time health alert comes into force as Brits soak up 30C sunshine… and it could get even hotter
THIS is the exact time a health alert is coming into force as Brits soak up 30C sunshine – and it could get even hotter.
Conditions are expected to be “very warm and sunny” as we kick off the weekend.
Much of the country will experience high 20s on Friday with London hitting 29C, say the weather service.
Further up north, Manchester, York and Leeds are predicted to see highs of 27C while the West Mids reaches 28C.
And with things hotting up, the Met Office is predicting temperatures could exceed 30C as warm air drifts across the UK from the south.
And while many will be basking in the sunshine, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has warned Brits to stay safe.
A yellow alert has been issued for much of England this weekend.
It covers London, the South East, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber.
The warning comes into force at midday today and will be in place until 9am on Sunday.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris said: “Temperatures will be on the rise from Friday, as a plume of very warm air drifts across the UK from the south.
“Parts of east and southeast England may reach 29 or 30ºC on Friday, with mid-twenties more widely across England and Wales.
“By Saturday, this heat will have extended further north, with parts of Scotland also reaching the mid to high twenties, and again around 30ºC or perhaps even a touch higher for inland parts of eastern England.
“In addition, temperatures overnight will remain high, especially in towns and cities, which will make for an uncomfortably warm night for some.”
However, a few showery spells and thunderstorms could creep in to break up the heat on Saturday.
Low pressure in Scotland will mean only highs of 21C are predicted for most before “intense thundery downpours” are expected.
The rain will move in from the south, up towards the north of the country before heading west.
Temperature highs of 26C are still forecast with conditions feeling slightly “muggy”.
Dan Harris added: “Despite the warm start to the weekend weather for most, we expect a steady transition back to cooler and more unsettled weather with the development of some intense thundery downpours.”