The UK is bracing for its fourth heatwave of the summer as temperatures are expected to soar to 34C in the hottest parts of the country later this week.
Several amber and yellow heat alerts are in place as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warned the rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Temperatures are forecast to climb to 29C in the South East on Tuesday before rising to a sizzling 34C on Wednesday.
It comes after a sweltering and exceptionally dry June which has left the UK’s most parched regions without rain for weeks.
Forecasters are warning parts of the South and South East of England could see “exceptionally severe” wildfires spread this week due to the extremely hot and dry conditions.
Parts of Wales have already declared drought status, while swathes of England are in “prolonged dry weather” status, which is the last stage before a drought is declared.
The Cairngorms in Scotland have been hit by a major wildfire while blazes have wrought destruction in mainland Europe this week.
Farmer warns risk of UK drought may force him to stop growing vegetables
Farmers have warned the industry "can't carry on like this" as they struggle following back-to-back heatwaves and prolonged periods of dry weather across the UK.
With drought declared in parts of Wales, regions across the east and south of England continue to suffer exceptionally low or no rainfall, leaving agricultural workers under severe pressure.
Ben Andrews, who runs Broadward Hall Farm in Herefordshire, told The Independent: “Our veg is seriously struggling this year. At this point, we’re really having to sit down and consider whether we’re even going to plant vegetables next year.
“For many farmers, this is the worst harvest yet, and for the second year in a row. We can’t carry on like this.”
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UK preparing for wildfires similar to those that have torn through France and Spain, minister confirms
The government is preparing for wildfires in the UK similar to those that have torn through France and Spain this summer, a minister has confirmed.
Blazes have wrought destruction in mainland Europe this week, with 220,000 forced out of their homes in southwest France and 116,000 evacuated in Spain.
Asked whether the UK is preparing for similar events, minister for intergovernmental relations Hamish Falconer, told Sky News: “Obviously there are wildfires in Scotland as well, and we’re in touch with the Scottish government about what support the British government can provide.
“But yes, we are preparing, and we know that we need to go further. These are incredibly concerning scenes around Bordeaux and in Spain.
“I think the Spanish government have been pretty clear that they think that the increasing ferocity of the wildfires that they face are a result of man-made climate change, and we do need to take those warnings very seriously indeed.”
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London weather tracker: How hot the capital could get in fourth heatwave of summer
Temperatures in London are set to soar to as high as 35C this week as the country braces for its fourth heatwave of the summer.
The capital is expected to see bright sunshine and sweltering highs from Tuesday, with the forecast showing expected highs of a sizzling 29C.
Wednesday will see temperatures reaching their peak of well over 30C, according to the Met Office, before they begin to slowly fall to around 27C on Thursday.
You can track the heatwave around you by clicking on the link below:
Royal Parks staff take precautions as the UK braces for scorching conditions
Royal Parks staff have been advised not to leave deckchairs under trees over fears branches will fall during hot weather, as the fourth heatwave of the year looms.
The charity, which looks after green spaces including Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, said it has made the measure as an “additional precaution” during the prolonged dry and hot weather.
It comes as the country prepares for more scorching conditions, with temperatures expected to peak as high as 34C across South Eastern England on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Royal Parks said: “We are fully aware of ‘summer branch drop’, when trees can shed branches due to stress from prolonged dry, hot weather, particularly when periods of heat are interspersed with heavy rain.
“Managing a landscape with tens of thousands of trees is complex.
“While it is never possible to eliminate risk entirely, we take active measures to reduce it as far as possible.”
The organisation looks after eight parks and other public green spaces in London, including Richmond Park, Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens.
It added: “Where any risk is identified, we undertake essential tree maintenance, and as an additional precaution, we have instructed our deckchair concessionaires not to place deckchairs directly beneath tree canopies.”
Where in the UK are temperatures set to hit 34C?
Parts of southern England are expected to see in a fourth heatwave this week, with temperatures set to reach highs of 34C.
The hot weather will be a “North-South split”, with clouds and outbreaks of rain continuing in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England.
You can find out where the hottest temperatures are expected below:
In pictures: Sun scorched grass shows impact of heatwaves across England
London Fire Brigade attended more than 1,300 incidents over weekend
London Fire Brigade said it had attended more than 1,300 incidents, including grass fires and a person rescued from the Thames, over the weekend as the hot weather continued.
The service said it handled 2,729 emergency calls between Friday and Sunday, and firefighters attended 1,345 incidents across the capital, including a grass fire which destroyed 10 acres in Rainham, a hectare of grassland alight in Croydon, and blazes at flats, homes, sheds, a bakery and a storage unit. The Brigade’s fire boat crews also rescued a person in the Thames near Battersea Pier.
Assistant Commissioner Pam Oparaocha said the service was ready to respond to emergencies from wildfires to water rescues.
“While we are fully prepared to respond, we need everyone to play their part in helping to prevent incidents. Wildfires in particular can spread rapidly, require significant resources and have devastating consequences for people, properties, wildlife and the environment.
“Wildfires can also have a lasting impact on the health of Londoners because of the smoke plumes that they produce.”
The fire service is warning people not to use disposable barbecues in parks, to dispose of smoking materials responsibly, take litter home or put it in the bin, and use barbecues at home carefully away from anything such as sheds that could burn.
The Brigade is also urging parents, carers and teachers to speak to children and young people about the dangers of open water.
Waitrose sees surprise spike in these dishes as heatwaves bring ‘feta fatigue’
Supermarket giant Waitrose has reported a surprise increase in certain meals during the heatwaves scorching the UK.
Sizzling temperatures may make you think of leafy salads and sunripe fresh vegetables, - but somewhat surprisingly, sales of winter comfort foods, such as cottage pies, gratins and red wine are on the rise.
The grocer said sales of cottage pies were up 110 per cent while chicken and ham gratin and South African red wine were both up 68 per cent over the last month.
Meanwhile, recipe searches on Waitrose.com for spaghetti bolognese, toad in the hole and mac ‘n’ cheese were up 91 per cent, 67 per cent and 57 per cent respectively.
Parts of the UK have gone without rain for 40 days ahead of fourth heatwave
The UK’s most parched regions have gone without rain for weeks, Met Office data has revealed.
Wisley, in Surrey, has had 40 consecutive “dry days”, in which no or only a trace of rain has been recorded, while Herstmonceux, West End, in East Sussex has had 37 dry days.
A number of other sites including Heathrow in London and spots in Worcestershire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire have all recorded more than 30 consecutive dry days.
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'Devastating' wildfires are 'stark reminder' of extreme climate challenges, Prince of Wales says
The Prince of Wales said “devastating” wildfires across Europe are a “stark reminder of the challenges posed by an increasingly extreme climate”.
Fire crews and planes are currently attempting to bring a huge wildfire under control in south-west France, with fires also burning out of control around Madrid and in the Valencia region of Spain.
The UK Government has also offered military support to tackle the Cairngorms wildfire in Scotland.
In a personally signed message on social media, William wrote: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires across France, Spain and the UK.
“We are deeply grateful to the firefighters, emergency services and volunteers working tirelessly in extraordinarily difficult conditions.
“These events are a stark reminder of the challenges posed by an increasingly extreme climate and the importance of protecting both people and nature.”