The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for extreme heat today for some parts of England and Wales, including Manchester.
Forecasters predict that temperatures could soar as high as 35C in the region today while southern areas could even go over 40C. A red warning is the most serious warning to be issued by the Met Office and it means "dangerous weather is expected" and is likely to bring "a risk to life".
The warning will be in effect from the early hours of today (July 18) until the end of tomorrow. It's extremely important to take some safety precautions while the red warning is in effect such as staying hydrated, keeping in the shade or a cool place whenever possible (especially around lunchtime when the heat will be at its highest), and only travelling if absolutely necessary.
Read more: Best ways to stay cool in the heat - according to a Manc living in Spain
The Met Office explains: "If you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather." Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency has increased its heat health warning from level three to level four - a "national emergency".
Level four is only reached "when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system...At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups," it explained.
To help keep you safe during extreme heat today, we have provided an hour-by-hour forecast for Greater Manchester. If possible, try and plan your day so that you can avoid the highest temperatures under the baking sun.
Follow our live heatwave blog here with updates on traffic, weather and schools
Hour-by-hour forecast for Greater Manchester on Monday, July 18
8am: Sunny intervals, 20C
9am: Sunny intervals, 22C
10am: Sunny intervals, 24C
11am: Sunny, 25C
12pm: Sunny, 27C
1pm: Sunny, 29C
2pm: Sunny, 31C
3pm: Sunny, 33C
4pm: Sunny, 35C
5pm: Sunny, 35C
6pm: Sunny, 35C
7pm: Sunny, 34C
8pm: Sunny, 33C
9pm: Sunny, 32C
10pm: Clear night, 30C
11pm: Clear night, 29C
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