A WARNING to be on guard against the effects of the hot weather has been issued as temperatures continue to rise.

A forecast prolonged spell of high temperatures has led experts at Public Health England to call on people to look out for those who may feel the ill-effects of hot weather – as well as preparing themselves.

The Met Office forecasted a heatwave earlier this week and said that the warmest weather is expected on today, with temperatures set to rise to 31C.

The soaring temperatures could prompt the declaration of a Level 3 heatwave by PHE, which means people should know how to protect themselves from the weather.

A Level 3 warning is triggered when the Met Office confirms there is a 90 per cent chance of heatwave conditions, when temperatures are high enough over threshold levels to have a significant effect on health on at least two consecutive days.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Although temperatures are expected to dip slightly on Thursday, we are confident they will rise again from the south on Friday and Saturday.

“It looks like warm and humid spells of weather could continue into next week with temperatures remaining above average in places throughout this period.”

Dr Angie Bone, the head of extreme events at PHE, said: “In this continued hot weather, it’s important to remember that high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.

“During very hot weather, pregnant women and people who have chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal conditions, diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, may experience discomfort if indoor temperatures are particularly hot or when using public transport.

“Employers should ensure indoor areas are kept cool and consider allowing these individuals to travel to or from their place of work during cooler, or less busy times of the day.

“For those working or exercising outdoors, strenuous exertion during the hottest part of the day should be kept to a minimum.

“The key message for healthy individuals is to follow public health advice on how to enjoy the sun safely by staying cool, drinking lots of cold fluids and checking on those you know are at risk.”

Clive James, a training officer at St John Ambulance, said people should be aware of heat stroke symptoms.

“Extreme heat can be dangerous, particularly for the very young and old, but by being prepared you can spot the early warning signs and potentially be the difference between life and death in an emergency,” he said.

“Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the most serious problems that can develop when the mercury soars, so it’s essential that people can spot the signs, such as headache and dizziness and get them somewhere cool and rehydrated as soon as possible.”