- Public Health England issues a 'level two heat health alert' as temperatures expected to to soar to 32C tomorrow
- Quango's top ten tips to stay cool include switching off lights and wearing light, loose-fitting cotton clothes
- But officials accused of 'patronising' the public by giving obvious and bizarre advice
- Met Service also issues severe weather alerts for rain covering most of England, Wales and Scotland on Saturday
- Temperatures forecast to reach possible heatwave conditions tomorrow, beating 2014 high of 28.7C set on July 4
- Britain expected to be slightly warmer than European holiday destinations such as Crete (30C) and Ibiza (29C)
Health officials were last night accused of patronising the public as Britain prepares for a heatwave.
With temperatures expected to soar to 32C (90F) tomorrow, Public Health England issued a ‘level two heat health alert’ and published a list of advice to ‘keep people safe’.
The quango’s top ten tips include advising people to keep cool by switching off their lights and other electrical items, wearing light, loose-fitting cotton clothes and drinking ‘lots of cool drinks’.
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Splashing about: Daryl Packman, 19, Leah Wood, 19, Charlotte Burfield, 18, and Mille Hart, 19, cool off on West Wittering beach in West Sussex
Capturing the moment: Madison Musselwhite and Leah Goodspeed take a selfie with an iPhone at Southsea, Hampshire
Hot weather: Two women relax and sunbathing on Brighton beach at lunchtime. Temperatures in parts of the South-East are expected to hit 30C
Deckchair time: Thousands of people pile on to Brighton seafront and its pier in East Sussex to cool off as temperatures remain high and are set to rocket
Dog walkers: Two women take the opportunity to take the dog for a walk as well as enjoy a picnic in the sweltering heat at St James Park
Paddle boarders: A couple keep cool by undertaking some urban paddle boarding along Regent's Canal in London
While some took the opportunity to settle in and work on their tan at St James' Park, others on a work break were just as keen to catch some sun
Two Londoners kick back and enjoy the warm weather and sunshine in style - relaxing on deck chairs with a drink at St James' Park
Bookworms: A couple of readers relaxing in the sunshine with their feet up at St James Park
Getting outside: Two women sunbathe on Brighton beach in East Sussex at lunchtime
A group pictured sunbathing seaside at Brighton in temperatures which, at their peak, hit 27.4C yesterday
The Brighton jetty was a hive of activity as kids cooled off by practicing their jumps, dives, bombs and 'tombstones' into the water below
X factor and Big Brother contestant Frankie Cocozza was also spotted out enjoying the weather with a group of friends on Brighton beach
Brighton beach was chaotic yesterday as thousands travelled seaside to take advantage of what could be the start of a heatwave across parts of the UK
Looking at a phone: Two friends enjoy the sun in Green Park, central London, as Britain basks in beautiful weather
It wasn't just locals thrilled with the warm weather - tourists were quick to grab a seat for the afternoon on one of the Thames River sightseeing boat rides
Enjoying it: Henry and Sophie Ball, both five, laugh as they each hold an ice-cream in high temperatures at Southsea, Hampshire
Building sandcastles: Ivy Panton, two, plays on West Wittering Beach in West Sussex as temperatures are set to hit 30C later this week
Glistening water: Three women enjoy the warm weather on the beach in Southsea, Hampshire
Summertime: Two young women enjoy ice cream at Trafalgar Square on a sunny and hot day in central London
Capital sun: A family went to the South Bank for sunbathing sessions on Blackfriars beach in central London
Getting wet: Families play in the fountains outside the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank, central London
Tower Bridge in the background: Office workers enjoy the sunshine during their lunch break on a hot day on the steps of the London Assembly
Enjoying a glass: Two women with straw hats sit on a punt on the River Cam in Cambridge
Sit back and relax: Zachary Case, three, relishes the sunny weather at Boscombe beach in Dorset (left), while a woman sunbathes at London's Hampstead Heath (right)
Packed in: People enjoy the sun on Hampstead Heath in north-west London as the temperature is set to soar
In the shadows: Commuters head to work along the South Bank in central London
Public Health England's officials were accused of patronising the public by giving obvious, and sometimes bizarre, advice.
John Mann, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, said: ‘We don’t need this patronising nonsense, there is plenty of common sense out there.
‘People will know exactly what to do when it gets hot – they will probably relax with a cool beer and enjoy the weather. I will certainly not be taking their advice, I will be turning on my television and opening a beer from the fridge.’
The exceptionally hot conditions are expected to start this evening and continue until Saturday, with risk of surface flooding as thunder storms sweep across the country.
It will be the first official heatwave in a year. Public Health England (PHE) said its heat alert applied to most of southern England, East Anglia and the Midlands, the first time since last July that such a warning has been issued.
The alert is automatically triggered when there is a 60 per cent chance that temperatures will breach 30C (86F) over two consecutive days and not dip below 15C (59F) at night. Forecasters say it will be exceptionally hot and sticky, with little respite at night.
Public Health England's tips for staying cool during the potential heatwave, left, have been labelled as patronising, while today's Pugh cartoon, right, features a rather unusual way of cooling down
Hospitals have been warned to expect rising admissions.
The 2003 heatwave is thought to have caused the deaths of 2,000 people in England and in July 2009 a four-day hot spell killed 300. Dr Paul Cosford, director for health protection at PHE, said: ‘While many enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.
‘Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool drinks.’
He added: ‘Try to keep your bedroom and living space cool, by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening your windows at cooler times of the day and overnight when you can.
‘Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat.’
But Dia Chakravarty, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance campaign group, said: ‘This seems like yet another example of penpushers making work for the sake of it.
‘Taxpayers will be right to ask how on earth this is a good use of their hard-earned cash, which they hand over to the Treasury in expectation of essential front-line services, not to be wasted on bureaucrats telling them to keep out of the sun to stay cool.’
The Met Office said the conditions were being created by a ‘Spanish Plume’ – hot and humid air from the central Spanish plateau colliding with cool and wet Atlantic winds. When the two air masses hit thunder storms are likely.
As a result, the Met Office has also put in place severe weather alerts for rain covering most of England, Wales and Scotland on Saturday.
Maps: The Met Office has a severe weather warning in place for Saturday (left). The Environment Agency presently has one flood alert out (right), for the River Thames
Watch out: The Met Office has issued a Level 2 heat-health alert, warning of a 60 per cent chance of heatwave conditions between 8am on Friday and 8am on Sunday
Famous view: Sunbathers pack Brighton beach in East Sussex at lunchtime
Selfie time: A woman takes a photograph of herself in Green Park, central London
Summer treat: Mwana, a baby gorilla, cools down with a specially-made fruit ice lolley at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey
Getting to grips with it: A saki monkey cools down with one of the ice lollies at Chessington, made from freezing fresh fruit
Cute: A squirrel monkey cools down with one of the 'ice lollies' at Chessington, designed to make meal times more fun and engaging
Siblings: Dylan, 11, Hayley, eight, and Zachary, three enjoy the warm weather at Boscombe beach in Dorset
Somersault: A punt operator cools down in the River Cam in Cambridge on a warm midweek afternoon in Britain
Deckchair and a can of coke: A man lies on the beach on a hot day at Southend-on-Sea in Essex
Sunbathing: People relax on the beach in Folkestone, Kent, during the fine weather
Sun cream: The Met Office has issued a Level 2 heat-health alert, warning of a 60 per cent chance of heatwave conditions. Hampstead Heath is pictured
Enjoying the weather: A young woman sunbathes while reading a book on a hot and sunny day in Regent's Park, central London
The Met Office said: ‘Significant flooding is possible where these do occur from surface water as well as small, fast responding watercourses.
‘The frequent lightning, hail and strong gusts could also be an additional hazard.
'The public should be aware of the risk of disruption from any of these elements.’
The stormy conditions will dampen the mood during what is likely to be the warmest spell of the year so far.
Temperatures will start to rise from today, peaking on Friday when the 30C barrier could be reached for the first time this year.
The most likely location somewhere to the north-west of London.
Under her umbrella: Rebecca Clarke, hostess for jet manufacturer Sukhoi, shields herself from the sun at the Farnborough International Airshow
Soaking up the sun: Another woman enjoys the weather in central London while relaxing at Regent's Park
Cooling down: Billy the eagle owl has a shower from his owner in Havant, Hampshire (left), and a woman shades herself with a fan on Westminster Bridge (right)
Nice day for it: Two women take part in a session of yoga at Regent's Park in central London
Going for a run: A female jogger in central London (left) and members of the public enjoy the sun along the South Bank (right)
Sunglasses and parasols: Hundreds of people headed to Brighton seafront to cool off as temperatures remain high
It's a beautiful day: Two women smile in a punt on the picturesque River Cam in Cambridge
Making the most of it: A woman reads a book with her feet up on a deckchair in Green Park, central London
Getting in the water: People enjoy the sun on Hampstead Heath in north-west London as the temperature is set to soar
Lovely day: Two men relax on the beach in Folkestone, Kent, during the fine weather
Diving in: A woman jumps into the water on Hampstead Heath in north-west London as the temperature is set to soar
Looking far: Walkers enjoy the view across the English Channel from the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent, as temperatures are set to soar
London sun: Commuters head to work across Westminster Bridge this morning with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament in the background
Reading in the sun: A young woman enjoys the sun on Hampstead Heath
On the beach: People at the Adventure Island theme park and on the sand in Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Stepping up: Commuters head towards the South Bank in central London in the sun, with temperatures set to hit 30C on Friday
Tower Bridge in view: People sunbathe and enjoy the warm weather in central London
Punting on the River Cam: People enjoy the beautiful weather in Cambridge - but by Saturday it will be pouring with rain
Not much space: This part of Hampstead Heath was packed with sun-seekers yesterday as the temperature is set to soar
Animal magic: Mwana, the baby gorilla, cools down with an ice lolly at Chessington in Surrey (left), while Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea is pictured (right)
City skyline: There were only a few spaces left on these steps at lunchtime in central London
Meanwhile, a survey by PetSafe found 45 per cent of pet owners in the UK don't know how much water to give their pet.
A spokesman for the pet product firm said: ‘Keeping your pet hydrated and cool in the heat is essential for their health and well-being.
‘Dehydration is a serious health issue for many pets and can lead to numerous problems such as urinary tract infections and kidney disease.
‘If you feel your dog or cat is suffering from any of the conditions mentioned make sure you seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.’
HEALTH WARNING AHEAD OF HEATWAVE: STAY OUT OF THE SUN, DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS AND WEAR SUN CREAM
As temperatures are set to soar, health officials have urged people to take care in the summer heat.
Public Health England (PHE) said that heatwave conditions can have a ‘significant effect on health’.
The body urged people to consider how the heat may affect them or their loved ones after forecasters said that heatwave conditions will sweep parts of the South East, London, the East of England, the East Midlands and West Midlands later this week.
In a line: Daryl Packman, 19, Leah Wood, 19, Charlotte Burfield, 18, and Mille Hart, 19, sit on West Wittering beach in West Sussex
Warm weather: A group of women enjoy the view across the channel from the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent
Sitting down: A man and woman enjoy the sun on deckchairs in Green Park, central London
Fun in the sun: Sunseekers enjoy the weather on the beach at Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with the long pier visible in the background
Soaking up the rays: People relax and sunbathe on Brighton beach at lunchtime
What a view: A man looks at the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent - and with temperatures are set to soar, health officials have urged people to take care in the summer heat
Looking out to sea: A hot day at the beach in Southend-on-Sea, Essex
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2694189/UK-weather-Torrential-downpours-lightning-hail-strong-gusts-forecast-Saturday.html#ixzz37hocf3Fx
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