The UK is bracing for another heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 36C later this week.
Forecasters warn the extreme heat could disrupt transport and power networks as dry, hot weather continues to grip the country.
Current projections suggest this could become parts of the UK’s fifth heatwave of the summer.
Tom Morgan, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "We’ll probably see highs reaching the mid-30s quite widely on Wednesday, and indeed on Thursday too for England and Wales.
"On Wednesday, probably the Midlands, maybe a little bit further south, the M4 corridor, west of London, up towards the Midlands, is where we might have a small chance of reaching 36C in one or two spots.
"But Thursday at this stage looks the most likely hottest day of the week.
"So 36C is a fairly reasonable probability locally on Thursday and there’s a small chance it could get even higher than that."
Half of England and all of Wales have already been declared in drought, and more regions could be added when the National Drought Group meets on Monday.
Mr Morgan said: "If it wasn’t for this incredible summer that we’re currently seeing, then we’d be talking about these temperatures as being really, very unusual.
"But of course, we’ve had such an exceptional summer, people have become a bit used to it."
He also warned of "potential impacts" to public infrastructure, including railway lines and power networks, as well as dangers to vulnerable individuals.
Health authorities have raised concerns about the risk to vulnerable groups, predicting "significant impacts" on health and social care services and a possible rise in heat-related deaths.
Yellow heat health alerts remain in place for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London, and are set to stay until 9pm on Tuesday.
Officials say the warnings may be extended if the heatwave continues.
The Met Office is also considering issuing rare extreme heat warnings, similar to the amber and red alerts given during the June heatwave.
Water shortages remain a growing issue, with more than 25 million people affected by restrictions, including hosepipe bans in place for all South East Water and Thames Water customers, the Environment Agency confirmed.
Sunday marked the UK's 34th day of 30C temperatures or higher this year, equalling the record set in 1995.
So far, the summer of 2026 has already seen two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June, resulting in more than 2,800 excess deaths.
The European Union’s earth observation programme Copernicus reported that average temperatures across Western Europe reached 21.61C for June and July, breaking the previous record set in 2022.
Globally, 2026 is tracking as the third hottest year on record.
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