Wednesday afternoon will see Prime Minister Andy Burnham chair a meeting of the government’s emergency Cobra committee to discuss the UK’s response to extreme heat, wildfires and drought.
A spokesperson for No 10 said this summer was proving “challenging” in the UK, particularly for “firefighters tackling wildfires, farmers working in drought conditions, and NHS staff in busy A&E units”.
“We will continue to take the action needed to keep communities safe, protect water supplies and safeguard the environment,” they said.
The hottest weather this week is expected on Thursday across the Midlands, Eastern England, London and south-east England, Yorkshire and Humber.
Temperatures could potentially reach 38C which would equal the highest temperature of the summer so far recorded at Lingwood in Norfolk on 26 June.
This would be the hottest August day since 2003, when 38.5C was recorded.
It is also likely to be the fourth calendar month this year to record 35C or more, which is unprecedented.