A sizzling 37C is forecast for the South East but there are likely to be thunderstorms in northern parts of England on Friday
BRITS have been told that Friday could be the hottest ever July day with temperatures likely to hit 37C – before thunderstorms sweep across the country.
After weeks without rain, torrential downpours are forecast to hit parts of the UK and weather experts have warned buildings could get damaged.
But before heavy rain hits parts of northern England, Brits will continue to bask in the scorching sun as temperatures are expected to hit 37C in the South East.
Cavendish in Suffolk was the hotspot on Tuesday with the temperature reaching 31.4C, 23C higher than the lowest temperature recorded, at Drumnadrochit, near Loch Ness in the Highlands, at 8C.
Wednesday is due to be warmer, with temperatures of 33C expected in East Anglia and the South East.
An amber "heat health watch" warning remains in place for parts of England, with people being warned to try to stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
Nurses have warned that some hospital wards have reached more than 30C, leading to patients and relatives passing out or vomiting.
The Met Office has said England could see the July record high of 36.7C, reached at Heathrow in 2015, broken on Friday. The all-time UK high is 38.5C set in August 2003.
However, a thunderstorm warning is in place for eastern and northern parts of England from Friday afternoon.
The Met Office today issued a yellow weather warning for the North East and said flooding could happen "quickly" and buildings could get damaged.
With a chance of hail and strong winds alongside the torrential downpours, the temperature could drop back to the high 20s, meteorologist Alex Burkill said.
Before the storms arrive, the Local Government Association said social workers, community wardens and maintenance staff are all on high alert to identify those who could be struggling in the heat.
And pet owners have been urged to avoid exercising their dogs and other animals in the hottest parts of the day due to the risk of burnt paws on scorching pavements, as well as the chance of heatstroke.
And as the harvest begins early in many places following the driest first half of summer on record, farming leaders warned crops are being hit.
They added that reservoirs for watering vegetables were running dry and livestock owners were having to use winter feed for their animals as summer grass had withered away.
This woman was enjoying the hot weather on Brighton beach yesterday
Meanwhile, the heatwave has also seen a day's play lost in the India warm-up match against Essex. The fixture will now be a three-day affair following concerns about the prolonged hot weather.
The heatwave baking Britain comes as extreme hot weather grips northern Europe.
The UK has seen the driest half of summer on record, with just 47mm (1.85 inches) of rain between June 1 and July 16.
The Met Office said several places have had 54 consecutive dry days, starting on May 30, including a few which have had less than 1mm (0.04in) of rain in the entire 54-day period - the longest spell since 1969, when 70 days passed with no significant rainfall.
The longest run of days with no rain at all this summer so far is 48 days at Brooms Barn, near Bury St Edmunds, since June 5.
Conditions this week have been nearer normal for the time of year in Northern Ireland and western Scotland, which are seeing lower temperatures and rainy spells.
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