This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23387517

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Heatwave warning levels cut - but hot weather continues Heatwave warning levels cut - but hot weather continues
(about 4 hours later)
The Met Office has reduced its heatwave warning levels for much of England.The Met Office has reduced its heatwave warning levels for much of England.
The North West, West Midlands and South West were at level three - when health services should take action to protect elderly, ill and very young people.The North West, West Midlands and South West were at level three - when health services should take action to protect elderly, ill and very young people.
But these have been changed to level two - "alert and readiness" - matching all other areas except the North East, which is at the lowest warning level.But these have been changed to level two - "alert and readiness" - matching all other areas except the North East, which is at the lowest warning level.
Temperatures are expected to rise again next week and people are being urged to avoid sunburn and prevent fires.Temperatures are expected to rise again next week and people are being urged to avoid sunburn and prevent fires.
Other parts of the UK do not use Met Office heatwave alerts but health bodies there have urged people to take care.Other parts of the UK do not use Met Office heatwave alerts but health bodies there have urged people to take care.
The UK is currently in its first prolonged heatwave since 2006, with temperatures above 30C (86F) recorded somewhere in the country on each of the last six days.The UK is currently in its first prolonged heatwave since 2006, with temperatures above 30C (86F) recorded somewhere in the country on each of the last six days.
This is still some way short of the heatwave of 1976, when temperatures above 32C (89.6) were recorded on 15 days in a row.This is still some way short of the heatwave of 1976, when temperatures above 32C (89.6) were recorded on 15 days in a row.
Rising humidityRising humidity
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland had their hottest day of the year on Friday.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland had their hottest day of the year on Friday.
Temperatures reached 29C (84.2F) at Prestwick, South Ayrshire, 31C (87.8F) at Porthmadog, north Wales, and 30C at Castlederg, Co Tyrone.Temperatures reached 29C (84.2F) at Prestwick, South Ayrshire, 31C (87.8F) at Porthmadog, north Wales, and 30C at Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
The north-west of England and the western fringes of Scotland look set to be the warmest parts of the country on Saturday. The north-west of England and the western fringes of Scotland were the warmest parts of the country on Saturday.
Temperatures could hit 30C along the west of Britain, but cooler and cloudier weather is expected on much of the east coast. Temperatures hit almost 30C in Aviemore in Scotland, while the weather was cooler and cloudier on much of the east coast.
BBC weather forecaster Philip Avery said temperatures could reach the mid-30s in some areas next week, with humidity also increasing.BBC weather forecaster Philip Avery said temperatures could reach the mid-30s in some areas next week, with humidity also increasing.
Since the heatwave began 10 severely sunburned children - including a four-week-old baby - have been admitted to the specialist children's burns unit at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex.Since the heatwave began 10 severely sunburned children - including a four-week-old baby - have been admitted to the specialist children's burns unit at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex.
Consultant plastic surgeon Nora Nugent urged parents to spend "a couple of minutes" applying sunscreen before letting children go outside.Consultant plastic surgeon Nora Nugent urged parents to spend "a couple of minutes" applying sunscreen before letting children go outside.
'Carelessness''Carelessness'
Police and fire services have also warned people to be careful when swimming in open water following several deaths in recent weeks, including that of a 69-year-old woman in the sea off Skegness, Lincolnshire, on Friday.Police and fire services have also warned people to be careful when swimming in open water following several deaths in recent weeks, including that of a 69-year-old woman in the sea off Skegness, Lincolnshire, on Friday.
HM Coastguard has issued safety advice to swimmers and sailors after call-outs in the past month were up by nearly a quarter compared with the same period last year - as more people take to the coast to enjoy the sunshine.HM Coastguard has issued safety advice to swimmers and sailors after call-outs in the past month were up by nearly a quarter compared with the same period last year - as more people take to the coast to enjoy the sunshine.
Firefighters had to tackle a grass fire at the southern edge of Epping Forest in east London on Friday, one of several recent wildfires around the UK. Firefighters had to tackle grass fires across Scotland, including a three acre fire near the village of Crook of Devon in Perthshire.
It comes after a grass fire at the southern edge of Epping Forest in east London on Friday, one of several recent wildfires around other parts of the UK.
Gus O'Rourke, of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, asked the public to "spare a thought for the firefighters".Gus O'Rourke, of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, asked the public to "spare a thought for the firefighters".
He told BBC Breakfast many fires are started by carelessness, such as throwing cigarettes out of car windows or leaving barbecues unattended.He told BBC Breakfast many fires are started by carelessness, such as throwing cigarettes out of car windows or leaving barbecues unattended.
Large rural fires can put firefighters and members of the public in danger especially if the wind direction changes suddenly, Mr O'Rourke added.Large rural fires can put firefighters and members of the public in danger especially if the wind direction changes suddenly, Mr O'Rourke added.
Research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has estimated there might have been between 540 and 760 extra deaths in England, and 60 to 100 in Wales, due to the hot weather.Research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has estimated there might have been between 540 and 760 extra deaths in England, and 60 to 100 in Wales, due to the hot weather.
Met Office heatwave alerts are triggered when threshold temperatures - which vary by English region - have been reached for one day and the following night, and the level depends on the likelihood of those temperatures being reached again the next day.Met Office heatwave alerts are triggered when threshold temperatures - which vary by English region - have been reached for one day and the following night, and the level depends on the likelihood of those temperatures being reached again the next day.
In the four years since the current heatwave alerts system was introduced the Met Office has never used its top level-four category - "national emergency".In the four years since the current heatwave alerts system was introduced the Met Office has never used its top level-four category - "national emergency".
A Met Office spokeswoman said this would only be used after a long period of extreme hot weather leading to issues such as water shortages, infrastructure damage and deaths among "fit and healthy" people.A Met Office spokeswoman said this would only be used after a long period of extreme hot weather leading to issues such as water shortages, infrastructure damage and deaths among "fit and healthy" people.
Warnings up to level three are issued by the Met Office but level four would require government involvement, she added.Warnings up to level three are issued by the Met Office but level four would require government involvement, she added.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions