Although temperatures will remain cooler than the record high of 40.3C (105F) seen last month, this latest hot spell is expected to last much longer. High pressure building across the UK could lead to temperatures of 35C (95F) – and the heat is expected to peak on Friday or Saturday. Britons are now being told not to host barbecues in dry conditions as they fear fireworks and sky lanterns could spark “large-scale” fires in parched areas. Find out the five-day forecast where you live Image: Pic: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service On Saturday, 15 homes were evacuated after a garden fire raged out of control in Essex – with “numerous gardens, sheds and outbuildings” destroyed and a dozen properties damaged. About 40 people were displaced and seven needed treatment for injuries and smoke inhalation. Neil Fenwick, area manager for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “While the summer weather usually provides the perfect opportunity to host a barbecue or gather around a concrete block in the evening, we strongly discourage people from having any kind of fire at the moment.” The whole of England and Wales is set to feel the effects of the heatwave as high pressure builds – “with sunshine and very warm if not hot” conditions in Scotland and Northern Ireland as the weekend approaches. Met Office forecaster Tom Morgan said: “It looks like a prolonged period of dry weather and obviously that’s bad news for the south of England where some rain would really be helpful now.” While there is uncertainty about which areas will see the hottest temperatures, early forecasts suggest they could be found in the West Midlands and West Country. Mr Morgan says the heatwave criteria are likely to be met across the UK – potentially putting a strain on the NHS as the most vulnerable face heat-related problems. “We’re very confident that the temperatures won’t go as high as July, but the difference is that this will be quite a prolonged period of temperatures in the low 30s, so it will be very noticeable nonetheless,” he added. . Image: Map of points where water restrictions have been announced Tips to avoid overheating include closing curtains and windows during the day and avoiding the midday sun. Over the weekend, Environment Secretary George Eustice “strongly urged” water companies across the UK to enforce the standpipe bans. For now, people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are subject to temporary restrictions on their energy use – with similar rules coming into force in Sussex, Kent and Pembrokeshire later this month.
