Heat health alerts in effect for parts of UK as rain returns for some this weekend

Yellow heat health alerts came into effect across central and southern England on Friday morning with temperatures forecast to reach 30C (86F) in places.

The alerts, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), cover the East and West Midlands, eastern England, London, south-east England and south-west England and are valid from 09:00 BST on Friday until 09:00 on Sunday.

The UKHSA warns that heat is expected to cause minor impacts for health and social care services, with an increased risk to life for vulnerable people.

It comes as parts of the UK prepare to see much-needed rain this weekend - although amounts are expected to be relatively small, especially in the south.

A drought was officially declared for large parts of north and mid-Wales on Thursday.

The rest of Wales, along with much of central, southern and eastern England, is in "prolonged dry weather" category - one stage below a drought - and the Sottish Environment Protection Agency said much of eastern Scotland has moved into 'water scarcity' status

Hosepipe bans are in force for millions of the customers across eastern and southern England.

North-westerly winds that have developed over recent days will briefly be cut off in southern areas on Friday, allowing temperatures to climb.

Central, southern and eastern parts of England will widely reach highs of 25-28C (77-82F), with a few spots expected to reach 30C.

Parts of east Wales could also climb into the high 20s, with other locations in Wales and northern England forecast to see 20-25C (68-77F).

It will be rather warm in Northern Ireland and Scotland too with afternoon highs reaching 19-23C.

Most areas will see sunny spells although thick cloud will linger in north-west Scotland with patchy rain arriving during Friday afternoon.

Temperatures will slowly drop over the weekend as fresher north-westerly winds return.

By Sunday afternoon highs will range from 16C (61F) in northern Scotland to 25C (77F) in south-east England.

It is expected to bring an end to the heatwave conditions that have persisted for 19 days so far at Usk in Monmouthshire and Exeter in Devon.

Whatever rain does fall will struggle to soak into the dry, parched ground

High pressure will retreat to the west allowing weather fronts to move south-eastwards across the UK which will bring some outbreaks of rain over the weekend.

Rainfall amounts could be reasonably significant over high ground in the north and the west of the UK, with 20mm (0.8in) possible in parts of north-west Scotland.

However, the wet weather is expected to be much patchier further south