Temperatures up to 31C? Scorching heatwave set to hit county this week

Temperatures are set to rocket up to a high of 31C tomorrow, with the hot weather lasting throughout this week.

Forecasters say the hot conditions have been brought from a Saharan air plume that is sweeping through Europe. The mercury needs to hit 25C for three consecutive days to be classed as a heatwave, and that looks likely as Wednesday it is forecast to reach 28C and Thursday the expected high is 30C.

The Met Office say temperatures will begin to get cooler on Friday, down to around 22C over the weekend. There is also a risk of thunderstorms, bringing possible torrential rain and some flooding at the end of the week.

Public Health England (PHE) and the Met Office have jointly issued an amber "alert and readiness" warning, only one level below a “national emergency” red warning. PHE has offered advice including to stay indoors during the hottest period, wear a hat, apply suncream regularly and take cool showers or baths.

The biggest risks are over dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

West Mercia Police Operations and Communications Centre (OCC) tweeted that the temperature in a car can rise very quickly, so they reminded dog owners not to leave them unattended in a vehicle, even if its just for a short time.

West Mercia OCC also tweeted: "Hot weather is forecast this week however local waterways, quarries and lakes will still be very cold.

"Don’t be tempted to jump into open water to cool down."

Dave Throup, Environment Agency manager for Worcestershire, tweeted: "Another spell of extreme weather coming.

"Very hot indeed by Thursday. All time UK July record of 36.7°C may be under threat.

"All time UK record, all months, of 38.5°C probably safe. But these days, who knows."