By Sammie Jones-
The Met Office has sounded a warning with an amber alert for Friday expected to see temperatures top 38C in London, bordering on the 38.7C UK record.
The weather is set to be so hot this weekend, that the Met Office has issued an amber health alert and told people to look out for the vulnerable, elderly and babies.
The level three warning is just one step below a national emergency red alert – is triggered when high temperatures could have a “significant effect on health” if reached for two consecutive days and the intervening night.
Forecasters warn that “increasingly hot conditions” are likely across south eastern parts of England as a 700 mile-wide ‘Saharan tongue of fire’ hot air travels across the UK.
Brits are advised to stay cool, drink plenty of water and keep an eye on high-risk groups. Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said: “Truly exceptional heat will arrive during Friday as southerly winds waft our way.”
Parts of the country will be hotter than top holiday destinations in the Caribbean, including The Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados.
The highest temperatures will be across East Anglia and the south east where it could surpass 38C.
Bookmakers Coral cut odds to 1/2 on breaking the 38.7C UK record set on July 25, 2019, in Cambridge.
Coral spokesman John Hill said: “The odds say we’ll be frazzled by record highs.”
The Midlands and parts of Yorkshire will also see temperatures above 30C