How hot it will get this weekend as three-day heat health alerts issued in UK

Greater Manchester is bracing itself for a baking weekend - though the sunshine is likely to be pierced by bouts of heavy rain and even thunder.

In what has been described by forecasters as a 'split' weekend picture, temperatures are again set to soar up to the mid to high twenties today (Friday) and mid-twenties tomorrow (Saturday) with it remaining above 20 degrees Celsius on Sunday. It is expected to hit up to 30C in some parts of the UK today, the Met Office have said.

However, the Met Office say the increase in temperatures will also bring with it an increased chance of thundery rain downpours with people being advised to keep their raincoat and brolly handy at all times.

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A plume of warm air will start drifting across the UK today and will bring with it a completely dry day for us.

Temperatures are expected to cross the 20C mark by mid-morning and with sunny spells only likely to be interrupted by the odd bit of cloud they will steadily climb throughout the day.

In Greater Manchester, it is expected to reach 25C by 2pm and 27C by 5pm across the region when many people will be finishing work for the weekend, meaning beer gardens are likely to be packed out.

The mercury could touch 30C in parts of the UK today and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office have issued heat health alerts London, the South East, the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber, which come into effect at 12 noon today and last until 9am on Sunday.

However, one has not been issued for the North West. Here will remain over 20C throughout the night and early hours of Saturday meaning it could be a hot and