Parts of England are under heat health alerts again, with the latest hot spell expected to push temperatures into the mid-30s.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has put in place amber warnings for the East Midlands, East of England, South East and London until Wednesday morning. The Met Office says thermometers could show 35C on Monday.
Yellow alerts have also been issued for the North West, South West, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and The Humber. The agency has warned that the high temperatures could increase pressure on the NHS, with vulnerable people more likely to need medical care.
A summer of extremes
The summer has already seen record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, which led to more than 2,800 excess deaths. July brought further heatwaves, contributing to wildfires, drought and failed harvests.
Much of central and southern England will see highs from the upper 20s to low 30s, with 28-30C again on Tuesday, before temperatures decline later in the week.
Low pressure arriving from the west could bring wet weather to northern and western areas, and there is a chance of showers in the South East on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Storm warnings and rain
Northern Ireland has a thunderstorm warning for Tuesday, with 20-30mm of rain possible within an hour or two. Localised flooding and travel disruption are possible.
Parts of England and Wales may also see heavy showers and thunderstorms, though some places will stay dry. Up to 30mm could fall.
However, Met Office experts say August does not look promising for the sustained rainfall needed to relieve the drought that has officially affected all of Wales and half of England.
Drought impacts
July is likely to have been the driest on record for England and Wales, and some areas have not seen rain for weeks.
Around 23 million customers are subject to hosepipe bans, the harvest has been brought forward, farmers report poor yields, livestock are already on winter feed, and rivers and wildlife are suffering from low water levels.
The extreme conditions are being felt across Europe, with wildfires in France and Spain – blazes that analysis shows are made more likely by climate change. The UK is experiencing more severe droughts and heatwaves driven by human-caused climate change, largely from burning fossil fuels.
Health advice
Polly Ashmore of the UKHSA said: "Periods of hot weather can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun."
She added that the agency is urging health and social care services in affected regions to be prepared, and reminding people to check on elderly relatives, neighbours and those with underlying health conditions. Staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping homes cool are among the recommended measures.
Political row
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman has defended Andy Burnham after journalists suggested the drought was not a priority for him. The spokesman said Mr Burnham had spoken on a range of issues, including the cost of living, devolution, social care, migration and defence, but had only been in post briefly.
He said the Government takes climate change seriously and is working with farmers, the Environment Agency and the water sector to cope with the exceptionally dry weather.
Regarding reports that Mr Burnham might soften Labour’s opposition to new North Sea drilling, the spokesman said the Prime Minister has made clear the Government will take a "pragmatic approach", with oil and gas remaining part of the mix. He added that the only way to bring bills down permanently is through "clean homegrown power to deliver energy security".
