The heatwave rumbles on and today the threat has been raised, as an amber weather warning for extreme heat comes into place.

The Met Office alert has been issued as the mercury is expected to reach around 27C in this area today, with other parts of the UK tipped for highs into the 30s.

A spokesperson for the national weather service said: "A hot spell is likely to develop from Sunday, likely peaking early next week, leading to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure."

Southampton weather forecast hour-by-hour

Although there will be some clouds around today, there is a less than 5% chance of rain predicted for the entire 24-hour period.

  • Midnight: Partly cloudy, 19C
  • 1am: Partly cloudy, 19C
  • 2am: Partly cloudy, 19C
  • 3am: Clear skies, 19C
  • 4am: Clear skies, 18C
  • 5am: Clear skies, 18C
  • 6am: Clear skies, 19C
  • 7am: Clear skies, 19C
  • 8am: Clear skies, 20C
  • 9am: Clear skies, 21C
  • 10am: Clear skies, 23C
  • 11am: Clear skies, 24C
  • Midday: Clear skies, 25C
  • 1pm: Clear skies, 26C
  • 2pm: Clear skies, 26C
  • 3pm: Sunny intervals, 26C
  • 4pm: Clear skies, 27C
  • 5pm: Sunny intervals, 26C
  • 6pm: Clear skies, 26C
  • 7pm: Clear skies, 25C
  • 8pm: Clear skies, 24C
  • 9pm: Clear skies, 24C
  • 10pm: Clear night, 23C
  • 11pm: Clear night, 22C

What is a red severe weather warning?

The Met Office is forecasting an exceptionally hot spell on Monday and Tuesday leading to “widespread impacts on people and infrastructure”.

A red weather warning has been announced for parts of the country - these are issued when “dangerous weather is expected”.

During this period you should take action to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather, if you haven’t already done so.

What weather warnings mean

Cabinet Office minister Kit Malthouse has said the Government is preparing for a “surge” in demand on the NHS and other services due to the expected heatwave.

After chairing a meeting of the Cobra civil contingencies committee in Whitehall, Mr Malthouse urged the public to look out for people who were particularly vulnerable in the heat.