The Met Office's rare severe weather warning for heat has been extended to a second day. The forecasting service says some "exceptionally high temperatures" are possible on Sunday and Monday and could lead to widespread impact on people and infrastructure.
BBC Weather is saying Cardiff will be hotter on Monday with highs of 34°C, compared to 31°C on Sunday. And the Met Office says that the high temperatures could also be seen on Tuesday.
Wales experienced its hottest day of the year on Monday (July 11) when temperatures hit 28.7°C at Cardiff's Bute Park. There will be a slight dip in temperatures during the middle of this week, but they are expected to soar again by the weekend.
READ MORE: Live updates from Met Office and BBC as country faces hottest day ever
Some forecasters say that the highest ever temperature ever recorded in the UK - 38.7°C on July 25, 2019 - could be beaten. The amber weather warning from the Met Office says: "Temperatures will rise again later this week and over the coming weekend, likely peaking on Sunday and Monday, but may last into Tuesday in places.
"Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible and cumulative effects of warm nights and hot days are expected to bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure."
The warning for Wales covers:
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Denbighshire
- Flintshire
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Neath Port Talbot
- Newport
- Powys
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Wrexham
Welsh weather forecaster has warned that it is going to be very warm on the first day of the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells on Monday.
He described conditions as "sweltering" saying: "Monday the hottest day then temperatures drop from Tuesday but remaining very warm"
The amber warning comes at the end of a week when the UK will see widely-above average temperatures, with a Level 3 UK Health Security Agency Heat Health Alert in place for southeastern areas this week, and a Level 2 alert for much of the rest of England.
Heatwave criteria, when specific temperature thresholds must be exceeded three days running, will be met for many locations in southern and central England and Wales early this week.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Rebekah Sherwin says: “From Sunday and into Monday, temperatures are likely to be in excess of 35°C in the southeast, although the details still remain uncertain. Elsewhere, temperatures could be fairly widely above 32°C in England and Wales, and in the mid-to-high 20s Celsius further north.”
Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA, said: “Heat-health alerts have now been issued to the majority of the country, with temperatures set to remain consistently high throughout the duration of this week.
“Most of us can enjoy the hot weather when it arrives, but it is important to keep yourself hydrated and to find shade where possible when UV rays are strongest, between 11am and 3pm.
“If you have vulnerable family, friends and neighbours, make sure they are aware of how they can keep themselves protected from the warm weather.’’
Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice.
The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to take precautions ahead of the hot weather forecast for this week. They say that warm weather generates an increase in calls to people with breathing difficulties, and with 999 demand already high, and Covid-19 infections continuing to rise, the Trust is asking the public to take extra precautions to reduce pressure on the service.
There were almost 2,000 calls to 999 on Sunday, which works out at around one call every minute.
Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Executive Director of Operations, said: “ We expect demand to remain high with the increase in temperature, so we need the public’s help to ensure that the pressures we face are not exacerbated by the weather. Hot weather means your body has to work harder to keep its core temperature to normal levels, and this puts extra strain on your heart, lungs and kidneys. This means that you can be at greater risk if you have a pre-existing heart or respiratory condition, like asthma or angina.
“It’s really important to keep cool and stay hydrated, and if you’re out and about, please look after yourself and those with you.
“If you do fall victim to the sun, take one of our NHS 111 Wales symptom checkers for bites and stings, breathing difficulties, hay fever and sunburn – it’ll help you determine the best course of action.”
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