A heat-health alert and yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued for different parts of the UK.
The first yellow heat-health alert for 2025 was issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – with temperatures potentially exceeding 30C (86F).
The alert comes into force from 9pm on Thursday and runs until 8am on Sunday, covering the East of England, East Midlands, London and South East regions.
The warning means any impacts could see the increased use of health care services by vulnerable populations.
There is also a higher risk to the health for individuals with pre-existing health conditions and for those aged over 65.
The UKHSA said people should check on friends, family or neighbours who are “more vulnerable” and “ensure they are aware” of the forecasts and advice.
On Thursday, running from midnight until 1pm, an area stretching from Plymouth into Wales could see disruption due to heavy rain and thunderstorms.
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There is also a thunderstorm warning for Northern Ireland, running from 6am until 9pm on Thursday.
The Met Office said 40mm of rain could fall in less than three hours in Thursday’s warning areas.
A new warning comes into force at 3pm on Friday for an area stretching from East Anglia into London and across parts of the South East.
It runs until 6am on Saturday and warns of disruption from thunderstorms.
The conditions could bring flooding to roads and properties, disruption to travel networks, and power cuts, said the Met Office.
Forecasters also warned of “frequent” lightning, hail and “gusty” winds.
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Sky News weather producer, Christopher England, said temperatures could soar above 30C and bring the UK’s highest temperature of the year so far.
“It’ll be turning warmer over the next few days, with Friday looking to bring the highest temperature, before somewhat cooler conditions return for the weekend – 30 to 31C (87.8F) is just about possible given abundant sunshine,” he said.
“But 27-29C (80.6-84.2F) looks much more likely, with the hottest places likely to be somewhere from the East Midlands through to southeast Yorkshire and down to southeast England.
“It’s just possible we may see the highest temperature of the year so far, beating the 29.3C (84.7F) recorded at Kew on 1 May, but the odds are against it.”
