The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat at the weekend, with local weather experts fearing it could get "very bad for some of us". 

The rare amber alert has been issued by the weather service, warning of some "exceptionally high" temperatures on Sunday, July 17, which could "lead to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure". 

The Chiltern Weather Alerts team say it is "unusual" for a warning to be issued so far in advance. 

They said: "The Met Office have just put an advanced amber warning in place across most of England for Sunday, it will extend for Monday and Tuesday.

"I don't think I have ever seen the Met put up an amber for a weather event five days in advance.

"Possibly going to get very bad for some of us."

The Met Office said: "Temperatures will build again later this week and over the coming weekend, likely peaking on Sunday and Monday.

"Some exceptionally high temperatures are possible and cumulative effects of warm nights and hot days are expected to bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.

"This period of hot weather is expected to continue into the early part of next week, hence an update extending this warning into Monday is likely."

Areas affected include most of the country, including Yorkshire, the north east, south east and south west, as well as Wales. 

This is what the Met Office says we can expect: 

  • Population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life. Government advice is that 999 services should be used in emergencies only; seek advice from 111 if you need non-emergency health advice
  • Substantial changes in working practices and daily routines likely to be required
  • Significantly more people are likely to visit coastal areas, lakes and rivers leading to increased risk of water safety incidents
  • Delays on roads and road closures are possible, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with potential for significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays