OVER WITH A BANG
UK weather: Britain faces SECOND 30C heatwave lasting 2 weeks in August after thunderstorms to rumble across country
A SECOND 30C heatwave is on the cards for August - and it's expected to last for a glorious two weeks.
But Brits must first face a weekend of thunderstorms rumbling across much of England and Wales.
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Temperatures have soared this week, reaching record-breaking highs of 32.2C at London's Heathrow.
The heat has resulted in roads "melting like chocolate" and train lines buckling - even prompting the Met Office to issue its first ever extreme heat warning.
The warning is in place in central and southern England, Wales and Northern Ireland until Friday, with the mercury expected to reach highs of 33C.
But the sunny weather took a turn in the East of England on Tuesday, with heavy rain, hail, and several roads flooded.
Windows were smashed and gardens "flattened" by hail in some areas, with residents describing the stones in Kibworth, Leicestershire, as "tennis ball sized".
The Met Office has warned more heavy rain and thundery showers are on the way - and they could spark travel chaos.
Forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for Saturday and Sunday, covering most of England and Wales.
It warns of a risk of flooding, "difficult driving conditions" and potential power cuts, as well as loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
🔵 Read our UK weather live blog for the latest forecasts
But meteorologist Tom Morgan said that while some areas within the warning zone could see a month's worth of rain, the storms were unlikely to be as bad as those seen on Tuesday.
And temperatures will remain in the low to mid-20s, so significantly cooler but not wintry.
Although the blistering heatwave is expected to end this weekend, in reality it is just on pause with a second sizzler set for early next month.
The Met Office predicts: "Into early August, warmer and drier-than-average conditions look likely to return for much of the UK.''
"By mid-August confidence becomes rather low, but with changeable conditions most likely.
"Above-average temperatures continue to be signalled for much of the period, perhaps becoming very warm or hot at times in the south."
Forecasters added that August will have ''drier conditions with sunny spells and ''showers or longer periods of rain".
ANOTHER SIZZLER
Meanwhile, bookies have slashed odds to just 10/11 on this month being the hottest July on record.
Public Health England has extended its heat-health warning, which warns people to take measures to stay cool and look out for vulnerable people, until Friday.
And emergency services have urged people to be aware of the dangers of going into open water following 16 confirmed water-related deaths in the last four days.
Det Ch Insp Tony Nicholson of West Yorkshire Police said: "Even on days as hot as we have had recently, canals can still be very cold and cold water can cause cramps in even the strongest swimmers."
Meanwhile, Dr Owen Landeg, Scientific and Technical Lead at PHE, said: "Everybody can be affected by high temperatures and most people are aware of good health advice for coping with hot weather.
''However, it’s important to keep checking on those who are most vulnerable such as older people and those with heart or lung conditions.
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''As we experience the first hot weather episode of the year, it’s important for everyone to remember to adapt their behaviours.
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"This is particularly important during the pandemic with many people self-isolating.
''Most of us want to enjoy the sun. Remember to look out for signs of and follow our simple health advice to beat the heat.''
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Sunbathers sizzle as heatwave set to continue with 32C high
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