UK weather: Hottest day arrives and the experts have some 'advice'

Temperatures are set to soar as high as 32C in the south east, hotter than Barbados

The sun has got its hat on (Rex)

Blistering heat, thunderstorms and the prospect of flooding – no, it’s not a description of the rainforest but the UK over the next few days.

Meteorologists predict today will be the hottest of the year so far as temperatures soar as high as 32C in the south east, hotter than in Barbados.

It will be the first time the mercury has risen above 30C this year and it could creep even higher tomorrow as weather more akin to Spain and Greece hits UK shores.

And in case you were slightly confused over how to conduct yourself in the heatwave conditions, Public Health England has offered some patently obvious guidance.

PHE said people should consider staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, drink plenty of fluids and wear sun cream that is at least factor 15.

It has also asked people to be aware of children and the elderly, to ensure they are not suffering because of the heat.

People should never be left in closed, parked cars, especially infants, young children or animals, a spokesman added.

But in any case, as is typical of our green isle, the sunshine is likely to be peppered with thundery showers starting overnight on Friday and into Saturday.

It all seems part for the course of a British summer – but the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for much of the country of Saturday over fears of localised flooding.

Meteorologist Krista Mitchell, from the Exeter-based Met Office, said: "Things are certainly heating up today and again tomorrow."

She continued: “Much of the country can expect thunder from Friday into Saturday.

"We can expect some quite torrential showers over a large swathe of the country."

The hottest day so far in 2014 was 4 July, when 28.7C (83.7F) was detected in Norfolk and Essex.

Temperatures will start to rise today, peaking on Friday, but the conditions should ease when a band of fresher air sweeps in on Sunday

Additional reporting by Press Association