UK weather maps show 15 cities to be scorched by 30C heatwave on Saturday and Sunday

The UK is bracing for another heatwave this weekend as temperatures across several areas exceed 30C, prompting a health warning to be issued. New weather maps by WXCHARTS, which uses MetDesk data, revealed that Saturday and Sunday are due to bring soaring temperatures, even to parts of the Scottish Highlands. In England, the South West is expected to be the worst-affected region, reaching at least 30C in most areas by 3pm.

The hottest county will be Gloucestershire, hitting 33C in the mid-afternoon sunshine. Elsewhere, the South East coastline is forecast to be slightly cooler, benefiting from a sea breeze. Areas from East Riding of Yorkshire to Suffolk will be between 27C and 29C, according to the charts. Temperatures are due to be roughly the same on Sunday, providing little respite from the heat other than for those in Ireland, where it'll be a cooler 26C at the most.

The heat will also reach North England and into Scotland, with the Highlands hitting a surprising 27C on Saturday and 29C on Sunday.

In total, 15 cities are expected to bask in temperatures of at least 30C, from Salford to Southampton.

This prompted the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to issue yellow Heat Health Alerts for parts of Central and Southern England from Wednesday until Monday.

The UKHSA said the heatwave was expected to pose "significant impacts" on health and social care services.

Separately, the Met Office forcast for this weekend reads: "Cloudy and breezy in the northwest on Friday; otherwise, dry with plenty of sunshine. Becoming very warm or hot through the period with some uncomfortable warm nights by the weekend."

The agency explained that high pressure from the Atlantic will lead to increasing temperatures that will persist for longer than previous heatwaves this year

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Jason Kelly, said: "This heatwave is expected to be longer lived and extend further north and west into a larger part of the UK than previously seen this summer.

"Temperatures are expected to peak over the weekend and ease early next week.

"They are expected to exceed 30°C in some areas from tomorrow, with peak temperatures of 31°C on Thursday, with up to 32°C possible in parts of England and Wales on Friday."