Sunshine and high temperatures could prove dangerousA person covers their head with a towel on a hot, sunny dayA person covers their head with a towel on a hot, sunny day(Image: PA)

The South West has been hit with an amber level heat health warning this week, as temperatures are expected to rise to 29C this weekend.

The UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office have warned of “significant impacts” due to the hot weather arriving this weekend, which will once again bathe the region in sunshine.

Friday, Sunday and Monday are predicted to be the sunniest days during the five-day heat alert, which begins on Friday, June 27, and lasts until Tuesday, July 1.

Although the weather across the region may vary this weekend – with forecasters suggesting that Saturday could bring cloud and even some scattered showers over Dartmoor – temperatures will remain high across large parts of the country.

This is ‘likely’ to put pressure on health and social care services.

Bristol is predicted to reach highs of 29C on Monday, which is expected to be the hottest day of the alert.

Experts warn that there are likely to be “significant impacts” across the industry due to the high temperatures, including a potential increase in deaths among people over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.

There is likely to be increased demand on all health and social care services, with indoor environments becoming overheated. “Internal temperatures in care settings (hospitals and care homes) may exceed recommended threshold for clinical risk assessment,” the warning adds.

The amber warning is in effect for the South West, South East, London, the East of England and the East Midlands, while a less severe yellow heat health alert covers Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands.

South West Met Office weather forecast

Today

Cloudy at first with showery rain clearing eastwards. Drier by the afternoon with plenty of sunny spells. Feeling warm in the sunshine, but less humid than Wednesday. Breezy with winds easing later. Maximum temperature 21 °C.

Tonight

Dry this evening with late sunshine. Cloudier at times overnight with a few showers mixed with occasional clear spells. Breezy but not as humid overnight. Minimum temperature 11 °C.

Friday

Fine and dry with variable amounts of cloud and some bright or sunny spells breaking through. Feeling warm in any sunny breaks with winds picking up through the day. Maximum temperature 23 °C.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday

Mainly cloudy on Saturday with rain and drizzle over the Moors. Generally drier Sunday and more so Monday with sunnier spells. Winds easing and turning warmer and feeling rather humid.