TEMPERATURES are set to sizzle in Halesowen this weekend as the UK basks in a heatwave.

The mercury is set to gradually rise through today, with a maximum temperature of 28° expected.

It will get hotter as the afternoon wears on, hitting 27° at 2pm, before highs of 28° are predicted from 3pm until 7pm.

This evening will be slightly cooler but still balmy, with temperatures of 27° and 25° expected from 8pm to 9pm.

It looks set to be glorious weekend as it will continue to be very warm on Saturday with plenty of sunshine and light winds.

Expect temperatures of 22° by 11am, climbing to 24° by midday.

Saturday afternoon looks set to be a scorcher, starting at 25° at 1pm before hitting a maximum of 27° by 4pm followed by temperatures of 26° throughout the afternoon, the Met Office predicts.

Expect another warm night with temperatures estimated to drop slightly to 22° at 8pm and 19° by 10pm.

It looks set to stay warm through the rest of the weekend and into next week. The Met Office predicts it will be mostly dry with sunny spells, but with the chance of thundery showers increasing.

Sunday will see highs of 27°, beginning cloudy but becoming sunny by lunchtime.

Temperatures begin with a mild 18° at 10am before rising to 23° by 1pm. Later in the afternoon the mercury is expected to hit a high of 26° by 4pm, before dipping to 25° in the early evening and 20° by 10pm.

Health chiefs have urged people to stay safe in the hot weather, especially by looking out for vulnerable and elderly people.

Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health England, said: “Many of us welcome warmer weather, but some people may find it more difficult to cope. People recovering from COVID-19 at home, those who are self-isolating, older people and people with underlying health conditions are all more vulnerable during hot weather.

“This summer, many of us are spending more time at home due to COVID-19. A lot of homes can overheat, so it’s important we continue to check on older people and those with underlying health conditions, particularly if they’re living alone and may be socially isolated.

“If you need to provide direct care to someone at risk from hot weather, follow government guidance on how to do this safely. The most important advice is to ensure they stay hydrated, keep cool and know how to keep their homes cool.”

The current hottest August day on record is 38.5 Celsius, reached in Faversham on August 10 2003. The current record maximum temperature for the UK is 38.7 Celsius, reached in Cambridge Botanic Garden on 25 July 25 2019.