Met Office issues fifth heatwave verdict as 33C scorcher forecast on Sunday

Met Office issues fifth heatwave verdict as 33C scorcher forecast on Sunday The Met Office has forecast a fifth UK heatwave with temperatures set to reach 36C in East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday. Parts of the UK are bracing for a fifth heatwave next week, with temperatures forecast to soar as high as 33C on Sunday. Yellow heat health alerts came into force at 9am on Saturday as the mercury climbed throughout the day, hitting up to 28C across the South and South East, and reaching 27C across much of central England. According to the Met Office, Sunday will bring spells of rain to Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, with isolated showers possible in the South East. However, the rest of the country will remain largely dry and sunny, with most people experiencing temperatures well into the high 20s. With yet another heatwave on the horizon, health officials have issued warnings about the risks of taking certain medicines in hot weather, including ibuprofen, as they can make it harder for the body to stay hydrated, regulate temperature or cope with sun exposure. Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said: "Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, have also been linked to a very low risk of a lupus-like skin reaction triggered by sun exposure, and common painkillers such as ibuprofen and naproxen may also increase sun sensitivity." The Met Office warned that southern and south-eastern regions could see the mercury climb into the 30s, with the South East potentially reaching a scorching 33C. According to the Fire Severity Index, any wildfires that break out on Sunday across almost all of east and south-east England are likely to be exceptionally severe. "Exceptional" severity represents the index's highest possible rating. The Met Office data, which takes into account rainfall, temperature and humidity, is used by agencies to assess how severe a fire could become should one ignite. It does not, however, indicate the likelihood of wildfires breaking out. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts covering the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. These yellow heat health alerts are set to remain in place until 9pm on Tuesday. They caution that the scorching weather is likely to impact the wellbeing of the general public and place additional strain on healthcare services. The Met Office has warned that heatwave conditions are expected to return next week, with temperatures of up to 36C forecast in parts of East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday. Two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June resulted in more than 2,800 excess deaths, while two further heatwaves in July have contributed to drought and wildfires. The National Trust is urging people to sign a petition calling on the Government to make tackling climate change a national mission. This follows a series of wildfires across the UK in recent weeks, with significant blazes recorded at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales, and the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Reservoir levels across England have fallen to 69%, dropping from 72% the previous week and sitting nearly 12 percentage points below the long-term average for this time of year, the Environment Agency announced on Friday. Levels stood at 85% at the end of June, which matched the typical average for that period, but have been steadily declining in recent weeks. Five reservoirs are now classified as having "exceptionally low" levels: Blagdon in Somerset (54% full); Clywedog in Powys, which supplies water to central and north-west England (62%); the Dove group of reservoirs in Derbyshire (74%); Hanningfield in Essex (60%); and Wimbleball in Somerset (50%). Last month was the driest July for England and Wales since records began in 1836, according to provisional data published by the Met Office. Nineteen counties across England recorded virtually no rainfall - 1mm or less - throughout the entire month, Met Office figures reveal.