Yellow heat health alerts have been issued for most of England, excluding the North East and North West, with temperatures expected to reach up to 33C (91F) this weekend. The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), will be in effect from 12pm on Wednesday until 6pm on Sunday.

The warning is particularly aimed at individuals with pre-existing health conditions and those over the age of 65, who may be at a higher risk during the heatwave. The East of England is likely to experience the highest temperatures, potentially nearing the June record of 35.6C (90F) set in 1976.

According to the Met Office, temperatures will rise gradually throughout the week, reaching their peak on Sunday. Deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley mentioned the possibility of thundery showers on Saturday morning and the likelihood of 'tropical nights' as some parts of the UK approach heatwave levels.

This forecast suggests that the upcoming weekend could mark the hottest day of the year so far, surpassing the 29.4C (85F) recorded in Suffolk last Friday. Ice cream manufacturers have reported a surge in demand, referring to this period as 'their Christmas time', with some working round the clock to meet orders.

However, the London Fire Brigade has cautioned about the increased risk of wildfires due to the hot and dry weather, following one of the driest springs on record. A heatwave is officially declared when temperatures exceed a certain threshold for three consecutive days, which varies between 25C to 28C (77F to 82F) across the UK.

This is a developing news story, and more updates will be provided shortly. Please check back for the latest information.