Heatwave peaks at 35C as 6million homes are hit by hosepipe bans amid wildfire and drowning warnings

The third heatwave of the summer is set to peak on Saturday, forecasters have  said, with highs of 35C possible in parts of the UK.

The warning comes as 6million homes have been hit with a hosepipe ban and fire chiefs have warned of a increased risk of wildfires and drowning as people try to escape the heat in pools and ponds. 

Amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday, warning of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions.

Temperatures reached 34.7C at Astwood Bank, near Worcester, on Friday, the Met Office said, with similar or even higher temperatures expected today.

'It might be plus or minus half a degree higher or lower (on Saturday), probably maybe a little bit higher, but that's going to be the peak as then temperatures start coming down a little bit through the second half of the weekend as low pressure slowly starts to edge in,' meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said.

On Friday, Wales recorded its hottest day of the year with 32.4C in Cardiff's Bute Park, and temperatures have widely reached the high 20s across the country.

Even the Scottish Highlands had very hot weather, with a high of 28.9C in Aboyne, a village in Aberdeenshire.

Fire chiefs have urged people to stay safe as they warned of the increased risk of wildfires and drowning during the heatwave.

The third heatwave of the summer is set to peak on Saturday with highs of 35C possible in parts of the UK as reservoirs dry up and hose pipe bans come in to force (Yorkshire Water's Agden Reservoir, Sheffield)

Temperatures in Scotland reached highs of 29C (horses in a field in Lauder, Scottish Borders)

Amber heat health alerts are in place for the Midlands and southern and eastern England until 9am on Monday as people flock to beaches to enjoy the hot weather (Bournemouth beach pictured)

The south of England will see temperatures as high as 35 while the north of England will be slightly cooler in what is the UK's third heatwave this year 

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) asked people not to enter water to try to cool down and urged parents and carers to ensure children are supervised around water at all times.

Phil Garrigan, NFCC chairman, said: 'We are urging people to take simple but vital safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones during this period of hot, dry weather.

'Our experience tells us that wildfires can start in an instant and escalate rapidly. That's why we're asking everyone to stay alert and act responsibly.'

It comes after the body of a boy was found in a lake in Birmingham on Friday after a huge search operation in a popular water park.

Emergency services descended on Powell's Pool, a large body of water on the edge of the park near the Boldmere area of Sutton Coldfield at around 9pm following reports a boy had gone missing.

Boat crews were seen on the water and the emergency services continued to work after dark, using torches to search the pool.

HM Coastguard also issued safety advice for people heading to the coast, as data from the water incident database shows most drownings occurred in July over the last three years.

The Met Office said that though temperatures may peak on Saturday, it will remain 'very warm' across the country on Sunday.

A dog owner trying to cool off in the shade on an early morning walk 

The warning comes as 6million homes have been hit with a hosepipe ban and fire chiefs have warned of a increased risk of wildfires (wheat fields in Oxfordshire)

The weather warning applies includes the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65(a group of elderly people shelter in the shade at Bournemouth beach, Dorset)

As well as the amber alerts, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber

'We're probably looking at maximum temperatures around 30C, 31C degrees across central and southern England, but still widely across the whole UK, mid to high 20s,' Mr Dewhurst said.

'It could still get to around 29 or 30C across southeast England on Monday, and then everyone into the fresher air by Tuesday, temperatures more like 23C, 24C as the maximum temperature.'

As well as the amber alerts, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has yellow alerts in place until Monday for the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humber.

It follows a second hosepipe ban has been introduced in Kent and Sussex with thousands of customers in Yorkshire already restricting their water usage.

Those supplied by South East Water will not be able to use their hosepipes for any reason from July 18.

The company said the region has endured its driest spring since 1893 and has had to supply up to 680million litres of water in 24 hours as temperatures soar.

A spokesperson added: 'This situation has left us with no choice but to restrict the use of hosepipes and sprinklers, so we can help our reservoirs and underground water storage recover.'

South East Water warned that it will prosecute those who disobey the ban by slapping them with fines of up to £1,000.

A group sunbathe on Sunny Sands beach in Folkestone, Kent, as the UK braces for 35C weather

People have flocked to the seaside to cool off and enjoy the sun but the RNLI has warned beachgoers that, despite the heat, there is still a risk of cold water shock

Two women shelter under an umbrella for some ad hoc shade while one sucks in to an ice cream in an attempt to beat the heat

A man sunbathes in Green Park, London ahead of the hottest day of the year so far

People shelter under umbrellas to avoid getting burnt as they walk around Bank, London

People enjoy the water and sunbathing at Clevedon Marine Lake, Somerset on Friday as areas including Kent and Sussex introduce a hosepipe ban 

A hosepipe ban began yesterday in areas supplied by Yorkshire Water, which has affected more than 5.7million homes in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire.

Yorkshire Water placed the ban on the use of hosepipes for activities such as watering the garden, cleaning cars, filling paddling pools or ponds, or cleaning paths, walls or windows, in an attempt to protect water supplies in the face of yet more dry weather.

Customers flouting the ban could face fines of up to £1,000, but the company has said 'we hope it won't come to that' as it urged households to help conserve water by sticking to the restrictions.

The new ban comes after 80 firefighters were called to tackle a grass fire on Thursday in Rainham, Essex.

The London Fire Brigade said it has responded to 24 wildfires this year, five of which occurred this week, including one in Manor Park, east London, on Friday afternoon, where 70 firefighters fought to tackle a grass fire on Wanstead Flats.

The risk of wildfires in London is currently rated at 'severe' by the Natural Hazards Partnership.

National Rail has warned train passengers that the hot weather may cause disruption this weekend.

A woman fans herself to stay cool as she walks around Westminster, central London

Swimmers enjoying the Clevedon Marine Lake, Somerset as temperatures reach 35C

Officials are advising people to take 'simple but vital safety precautions to protect themselves' including drinking water and staying in the shade (people relaxing in St. Paul's, London)

Hosepipe bans have come in to force to protect reservoir reserves which are dangerously low (Pictured: Baitings Reservoir in Ripponden, West Yorkshire)

'Heat can cause overhead lines to expand and sag, rails to buckle, and also line-side fires,' it said on its website.

Meanwhile, the RNLI warned beachgoers that, despite the heat, there is still a risk of cold water shock.

Ross Macleod, the charity's water safety manager, said: 'Even in hot weather, the seas around our coasts are cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, while waves and rip currents can overpower even the most experienced water users.'

He added: 'We encourage people to choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags, which is the area most closely monitored by the lifeguards.'

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