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4 months ago
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Sunseekers packed out beaches, parks and beauty spots today as summer finally arrived in Britain.
Crowds flocked to enjoy the outdoors as temperatures climbed to 26C following a miserable start to July.
And more sizzling conditions are on the way, with a mini heatwave due to send temperatures to 30C in some parts of the country tomorrow.
Today began with some showers in the northwest of the country before clearing to sunny skies in the afternoon, while the southeast is enjoying dry conditions all day.
Conditions will then be muggy and humid tonight as the weather continues to warm up for the weekend.
Crowds flocked to enjoy the outdoors as temperatures climbed to 26C following a miserable start to July. This picture was taken at Lyme Regis in Dorset
The busy beach at Lyme Regis in Dorset as sunseekers finally got to enjoy some summer weather
Visitors at St James's Park in central London enjoy the sunshine this afternoon
The predicted forecast has sparked the UK Health Security Agency to sound a 54 hour heat health alert for large swathes of Britain
What does a heat-health alert mean?
The alerts are issued by the UK Health Security Agency when temperatures may affect people's health.
They are categorised into four colours: green, yellow, amber, and red.
Here's what they all mean:
Green - No alert as conditions likely to have minimal affect.
Yellow - Unlikely to impact most people, but those who are vulnerable - such as the elderly - are likely to struggle to cope.
Amber - Impacts are likely to affect the whole health service with the every one in the population at risk.
Red - A significant risk to life with a severe impact across all sectors.
Source: Met Office
A yellow weather warning, lasting 54 hours, has been put in place from 5pm on July 18 until July 20, with the highest temperatures being seen in London, the south east and east of England, as well as the east Midlands.
The balmy weather will be a welcome break after a wet start to July saw the country already being hit by 97 per cent of the month's average rainfall.
The south-east of England and London will bear the brunt of the heat where the mercury could reach 30C by Friday.
Milder weather is predicted to return by Sunday with Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey warning night-time temperatures could stay in the low 20Cs for parts of south-east England.
They are officially classified as 'tropical nights' if they do not drop below 20C with possible health implications for the elderly or infirm.
It is in place from 5pm on July 18 until 11pm on July 20.
The government agency warning of 'minor impacts across the health and social care sector' which could 'increase the risk of mortality amongst vulnerable individuals'.
Ms Maxey said there was still uncertainty over how soon the milder conditions would come in, with the possibility that the south east could retain its heat a little longer than elsewhere.
Meanwhile, parts of the country have already well-exceeded July's average rainfall figures despite only being halfway through the month.
Today began with some showers in the northwest of the country before clearing to sunny skies in the afternoon, while the southeast is enjoying dry conditions all day (pictured is the beach at Lyme Regis)
A couple sit under a parasol on two beach chairs at Lyme Regis in Dorset
A fishing charter boat leaves Axmouth Harbour on a warm afternoon by the sea
Crowds relax on London's South Bank during a warm summer's day in central London
The Met Office spokesperson said England had 97per cent of July's average rainfall between July 1 and 15, Wales had 65 per cent, Scotland 49 per cent and Northern Ireland 47 per cent.
London has had 154 per cent of its July average already and Dorset 120 per cent. Edinburgh has only had 40 per cent and Dundee 33 per cent.
Ms Maxey said: 'There are quite big regional differences but overall it's looking like a wet month so far.
'There is a caveat that, with a dry couple of weeks, by the end of the month things could even themselves out.'
She said that two or three heavy downpours often caused much of a location's July rainfall totals, rather than a prolonged period of wet weather.
St Swithin's Day on Monday - traditionally said to predict the next 40 days of weather - was another wet one for much of England and Wales.
The summer weather will be welcomed by many following a grim month weather wise
Tourists in Trafalgar Square on a hot sunny day - with temperatures set to climb to 30C tomorrow
People enjoy the warm weather by heading to the beach in Sandbanks
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