UK hot weather warning as millions told to prepare emergency kit for 34C scorcher

As the UK prepares for a scorching 34C heatwave, households are being urged to consider unconventional ways to stay cool, including sleeping downstairs.

The Met Office predicts that today could become the hottest day of the year, with temperatures set to soar beyond 30C in many places.

In response to the sweltering conditions, millions of people are being advised to take precautions to ensure a comfortable night's sleep.

Suggestions include taking lukewarm showers before bed, using a light duvet, and relocating to a downstairs room where temperatures are often cooler.

For those whose upstairs bedrooms remain uncomfortably hot, sleeping on a foldable bed or sun-lounger on a cool, tiled floor downstairs may offer much-needed relief.

The latest UK weather maps from Netweather turn bright red today, which could see temperatures in southern England soar beyond 30C as the day progresses.

Parts of northern England could be slightly cooler, but some areas could still see highs of 31C.

On Sunday, the Met Office issued yellow warnings for thunderstorms to begin at midnight last night, covering huge areas of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

As the heatwave intensifies, the Met Office has also advised people to prepare an emergency kit and consider their flood risk, especially in areas prone to flash flooding.

With the possibility of power cuts, travel disruptions, and localised flooding, residents are being urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to cope with the extreme weather conditions.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk told Birmingham Live: "Plenty of sunshine on offer - and the bigger picture is settled with higher pressure moving across the UK, bringing with it hot and humid air from the south and south east from Monday with it becoming hot in south England and also central England too."

The Met Office's UK weather forecast reads: "A very hot and humid day in the south with some sunny spells and staying largely dry.

"Some isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible in eastern England. Cooler in the north with spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms during the morning."

For tonight, the Met Office has forecasted: "Another warm and humid night in southeast England, but feeling fresher elsewhere. Mostly dry and clear at first, but cloud and patchy rain pushes into the west after midnight."