The Met Office has issued an ‘extreme’ weather warning affecting Surrey and Hampshire on Sunday, with “exceptionally high” temperatures possible.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 34C in places, say forecasters, and this could lead to “widespread impacts on people and infrastructure”.

A rare ’amber’ warning, the second most severe warning issued by the Met Office, is valid across the London & South East England region for the entirety of Sunday.

It is also only the second time the Met Office has issued a specific ‘extreme heat’ warning, and comes after Heathrow recorded a high of 31.2C on Monday with temperatures in England soaring.

This is what to expect, according to the Met Office:

  • Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice.
  • Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
  • Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents
  • Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays

A Met Office spokesman added: “Temperatures will build again later this week and over the coming weekend, likely peaking on Sunday and Monday.

“Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible and cumulative effects of warm nights and hot days are expected to bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.

“This period of hot weather is expected to continue into the early part of next week, hence an update extending this warning into Monday is likely.”