South West could see temperatures reach 35 degrees as Met Office issues amber heat warning

Man sunbathing in Mousehole
A man sunbathes on a beach in Mousehole during the last heatwave in July. Credit: PA

Another month, another heatwave, only this time it doesn't look as though temperatures will be as high as they were back in July.

However, we've also had very little rain over the past few weeks so conditions are poised, as we've seen, for more fires to break out and water availability is becoming more of a concern.

The Met Office has today (9 August) issued an amber warning for extreme heat for much of the South West which will run from Thursday 11 August until Sunday 14 August.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat in much of the South West Credit: Met Office

The areas that will be affected include Gloucestershire, Dorset, Somerset, North Somerset, Bath and Bristol as well as parts of Devon and Cornwall.

The Met Office has warned of adverse health effects which are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat.

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Temperatures for the next few days will gradually increase under an area of high pressure, unlike July where we saw a plume of very hot air arriving from Spain and France. We'll still reach the low-to-mid thirties on Friday and Saturday, and there's no appreciable rain on the cards until Saturday evening at the earliest in the form of thundery showers, if they even materialise.

A dry golf course in Perranporth. Credit: PA

Some relief from the heat looks possible by next Tuesday when temperatures show signs of returning to nearer normal for August - around 20 Celsius. There is also a bit of much needed rain signalled too, but it's all a long way off at this stage.