Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are forecast to reach up to 30C (86F) on Friday. The alerts, put in place by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cover the East and West Midlands, eastern England, London, south-east England, and south-west England. They are valid from Friday morning until Sunday morning.
The UKHSA has warned that the expected heat may cause minor disruptions to health and social care services and poses an increased risk to vulnerable individuals. This comes as some areas of the United Kingdom anticipate much-needed rainfall over the weekend, though the amounts are expected to be limited, particularly in the southern regions.
A drought was officially declared for significant portions of north and mid-Wales on Thursday. Other areas, including the rest of Wales and much of central, southern, and eastern England, are categorized as experiencing "prolonged dry weather," a stage just below a drought declaration. Millions of customers are currently subject to hosepipe bans.
Temperatures are predicted to hit 30C in the south on Friday before the arrival of wetter weather for the weekend. However, meteorologists suggest these rainfall amounts may not be sufficient to alleviate the ongoing dry conditions.