A Level 3 'Amber' heatwave has been declared as temperatures peak over the next 24 hours and the threat of thunderstorms looms over Somerset.

The warning is set to last from this morning, with a 90% probability of heatwave conditions between until 9am on Thursday.

The current hot spell will peak through the next 24 hours and while afternoon temperatures in the London area will reach the mid 30's Celsius it will be slightly cooler in the far west, accompanied by some thunderstorms.

The warning is triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures for one of more regions have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day has a greater than 90% confidence level that the day threshold temperature will be met.

This stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.

Advice:

  • Stay out of the sun.
  • Keep your home as cool as possible – shading windows and shutting them during the day may help. Open them when it is cooler at night.
  • Keep drinking fluids.
  • If there's anybody you know, for example an older person living on their own, who might be at special risk, make sure they know what to do.

Advice on how to reduce the risk either for yourself or somebody you know can be obtained from NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk/summerhealth, NHS 111 or from your local chemist.