The Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning with temperatures expected to hit more than 30 degrees.

This warning began on Thursday and is in force until the end of Sunday.

The extreme heat may impact the health of those vulnerable and may affect the wider population by sunburn, dehydration, nausea, fatigue, and other heat-related illnesses – according to the Met Office.

However, temperatures are not set to be as extreme as those in July which smashed records when the thermometer climbed to above 40C in some areas of the UK for the first time.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “Persistent high pressure over the UK means temperatures have been rising day-on-day through this week and it is important people plan for the heat. Temperatures are expected to peak at 35C on Friday and possibly 36C over the weekend.

“We will also see increasingly warm nights, with temperatures expected not to drop below the low 20s Celsius for some places in the south.”

“Temperatures will drop early next week as the weather becomes more changeable. Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely in some areas, but there is low confidence in the details at this time and it is impossible to say yet exactly where and when they will occur”.

London Fire Brigade said its control room had dealt with 340 grass, rubbish and open land fires during the first week of August – an eightfold increase on the 42 during the same week last year.

Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: “This summer has seen an unprecedented long, dry spell with high temperatures, so the grass in London is tinderbox dry and the smallest of sparks can start a blaze which could cause devastation.

“Despite our continued warning over the last few weeks, we know there are still people who are barbecuing in parks, dropping cigarettes out of car windows and leaving rubbish lying around.

“We really need to prevent a repeat of the situation we saw on July 19, when homes, shops, garages, outbuildings and vehicles were destroyed across London in a number of significant fires.

“So please – we are asking Londoners to help us protect the city we all love by doing everything you can to prevent further grass fires. Please don’t barbecue in open spaces or balconies, throw your rubbish away safely and put your cigarettes out properly.”

Here is the weather forecast for today (Friday 12): Another fine and dry day with long sunny spells. Hot for most, but cooler near eastern coasts. Maximum temperature 34 °C.

7am Sunny - 19°C

8am Sunny - 21°C

9am Sunny - 22°C

10am Sunny - 25°C

11am Sunny - 27°C

12pm Sunny - 29°C

1pm Sunny - 31°C

2pm Sunny - 31°C

3pm Sunny - 32°C

4pm Sunny - 32°C

5pm Sunny- 31°C

6pm Sunny - 30°C

7pm Sunny - 29°C

8pm Sunny - 28°C

9pm Sunny - 26°C

10pm Sunny - 25°C

11pm Sunny – 24°C

Outlook for Saturday to Monday:

Dry settled weather continuing through the weekend, still with hot temperatures. Overnight mist patches possible, soon clearing.

Heavy thundery showers possibly developing Sunday night into Monday.

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