A WEATHER warning for extreme heat which could pose a danger to life has been extended into next week.

The amber weather warning, issued by the Met Office yesterday, will now run from midnight on Sunday, July 17, until the end of the day on Monday, July 18.

Forecasts predict temperatures in Sussex could reach the 30s, with a 30 per cent chance that Sunday could be the UK’s hottest day on record.

The government is said to be preparing for a national heatwave emergency, with the prospect that temperatures could reach 40C for the first time in Britain.

The Met Office warns adverse health effects are likely to be experienced towards the end of the week, with the possibility of delays on the roads, as well as to rail and air travel.

Temperatures in Brighton today have hit 24C again, although the weather has been more cloudy than recent days. However, that cloud is expected to clear towards the latter half of the week, with the mercury expected to rise to 31C on Monday.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “Temperatures will rise again later this week and over the coming weekend, likely peaking on Sunday and Monday, but may last into Tuesday in places.

“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.”

The hottest day ever recorded in the UK was in July 2019, when temperatures soared to 38.7C at the Cambridge Botanic Garden.