Heat map reveals how Britain is basking in the sun

• Bournemouth hits 26C (78.8F) today making it UK’s hottest day of 2023 so far 
• UK Health Security Agency issues amber alert for hot weather in some areas 

An amber heat alert has come into force amid a scorching 31C forecast today. 

Maps from the Met Office for today and Sunday show much of the UK has now entered a heatwave, with hot weather expected across all of England and Wales.

Yesterday Bournemouth hit 26C – the UK’s highest temperature recorded in 2023 so far, beating the previous record of 25.4C set in the nearby village of Hurn just yesterday. 

And the UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber alert for hot weather in the West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, South East and South West.

It will be 5C to 10C above normal June weather this weekend, forecasts predict. 

While the threshold for a heatwave is different across the UK, in some areas it is classified as hitting highs of 25C to 28C across a three-day period.

The conditions are due to an ‘Iberian plume’, which is a mass of very warm air travelling north from Spain that has also triggered a risk of thunderstorms.

Parts of the UK are predicted to be hotter than Marbella, Ibiza and Tenerife in the coming days as the plume of warm air moves in from the south.

But this will also trigger thundery showers, with some areas set to be battered by more than 60mm (2.4in) of rainfall in just a few hours tomorrow.

The Met Office has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for much of the western side of the UK between noon and 9pm.

Forecasters have warned of the potential for sudden flooding on roads and of homes and businesses.

A yellow warning for thunderstorms is also in place for Wales as well as southern and western England between 2pm and 9pm today.

Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: ‘What we see later in the forecast and today is the start of a bit of a change in tide through the weekend, which will see temperatures increase, but also increase the chances of some impactful, thundery showers for some.

‘As we move into Sunday, that risk really persists in terms of thundery downpours being possible.

‘A second yellow thunderstorm warning has been issued from midday on Sunday through to 9pm on Sunday.’

Temperatures are predicted to hit 30C in the South East of England today and again across the South tomorrow.

Oliver Clayden from the Met Office said there could be some travel disruption over the weekend.

He said: ‘After a prolonged dry spell there is a chance of surface water flooding.

‘There could be some surface water issues that could cause travel disruptions as well as the high gusts across parts of the country.’

Mr Clayden added: ‘This is going to be the warmest weekend of the year, which is to be expected as we go into summer.

‘This weekend will also see hail mixed in with strong gusts of wind and rain hit parts of the country.’

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) amber alert for hot weather means the impact of the heat is ‘likely to be felt across the whole health service … and the wider population, not just the most vulnerable’.

Dr Agostinho Sousa from the UKHSA said: ‘In the coming days we are likely to experience our first sustained period of hot weather of the year so far, so it’s important that everyone ensures they keep hydrated and cool while enjoying the sun.

‘Forecasted temperatures this week will primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

‘If you have friends, family or neighbours who you know are more vulnerable to the effects of hot weather, it is important you check in on them.

‘You should ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.’

There was a sharp rise in the number of extra deaths, or ‘excess deaths’, during the summer heatwaves of 2022, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Excess deaths are the number of deaths above the long-term average for that date of the year.

Some 638 excess deaths were recorded as taking place in England and Wales on July 19, when temperatures in the UK topped 40C for the first time – the equivalent of 48 per cent above the long-term average.

A further 496 excess deaths took place on July 20, or 37 per cent above average.

During the four days from August 12 to 15, when temperatures climbed to the mid-30s, 1,120 excess deaths took place, including 348 on August 15, the equivalent of 28 per cent higher than average.

A further yellow health alert, which is less serious and warns that there may be some disruption to services due to weather conditions, is in place for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber regions of England, as well as London.

All health alerts are in place until 9am on Monday.

The Met Office said thundery showers may continue into Monday particularly in southern and central England as well as in Wales.