Summer at last! Britain to swelter in 26C heat today as temperatures begin to climb after dreary start to July - as four heat health alerts are issued
Summer has finally arrived in Britain with temperatures set to climb to 26C after a miserable start to July.
The mini heatwave is set to bring sweltering temperatures all week hitting 30C in some parts of the country.
It has led for to the UK Health Security Agency issuing four health alerts warning that the warmer weather could have 'minor impacts across the health and social care sector' which could 'increase the risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals'.
Today will begin with some showers in the northwest of the country before clearing to sunny skies in the afternoon, while the southeast will see dry conditions all day.
It is expected to be muggy and humid tonight as the weather continues to warm up for the weekend.
CAMBRIDGE: Punters on the River Cam yesterday making the most of the warm weather
The predicted forecast has sparked the UK Health Security Agency to sound a 54 hour heat health alert for large swathes of Britain
A yellow weather warning, lasting 54 hours, has been put in place from 5pm on July 18 until July 20, with the highest temperatures being seen in London, the south east and east of England, as well as the east Midlands.
The balmy weather will be a welcome break after a wet start to July saw the country already being hit by 97 per cent of the month's average rainfall.
The south-east of England and London will bear the brunt of the heat where the mercury could reach 30C by Friday.
Milder weather is predicted to return by Sunday with Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey warning night-time temperatures could stay in the low 20Cs for parts of south-east England.
They are officially classified as 'tropical nights' if they do not drop below 20C with possible health implications for the elderly or infirm.
It is in place from 5pm on July 18 until 11pm on July 20.
The government agency warning of 'minor impacts across the health and social care sector' which could 'increase the risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals'.
Ms Maxey said there was still uncertainty over how soon the milder conditions would come in, with the possibility that the south east could retain its heat a little longer than elsewhere.
Meanwhile, parts of the country have already well-exceeded July's average rainfall figures despite only being halfway through the month.
The Met Office spokesperson said England had 97per cent of July's average rainfall between July 1 and 15, Wales had 65 per cent, Scotland 49 per cent and Northern Ireland 47 per cent.
London has had 154 per cent of its July average already and Dorset 120 per cent. Edinburgh has only had 40 per cent and Dundee 33 per cent.
Ms Maxey said: 'There are quite big regional differences but overall it's looking like a wet month so far.
LONDON: Women relaxing on a sunny day in Battersea Park at the end of June
BRIGHTON: The return of the hot weather will no doubt see droves of sunbathers line the pebbled beach on the Sussex coast as pictured above in June
'There is a caveat that, with a dry couple of weeks, by the end of the month things could even themselves out.'
She said that two or three heavy downpours often caused much of a location's July rainfall totals, rather than a prolonged period of wet weather.
St Swithin's Day on Monday - traditionally said to predict the next 40 days of weather - was another wet one for much of England and Wales.
