NI to miss out on summer heatwave

The government has advised people in England and Wales to be careful

Northern Ireland is expected to miss out on a heatwave forecast for England and Wales.

Temperatures are expected to soar to 30 C in the south of England, and people have been asked to keep an eye on elderly friends and family.

BBC weather presenter Cecilia Daly said Northern Ireland would "endure this same humid air mass.

"However, due to more limited sunshine and an increasing risk of showers, temperatures will not be so high."

She said temperatures would typically be in the low to mid 20s, which is still above the long-term average of 18 C.

"By the middle of the week a breakdown is expected, with showers or longer spells of rain developing across Northern Ireland and the possibility for torrential thundery downpours," she said.

Sun-worshippers disappointed that Northern Ireland temperatures will not reach such great heights will have to look on the bright side.

NHS staff in England and Wales have been warned to prepare for a surge of elderly and ill patients suffering from the heat.

The high temperatures will be accompanied by high humidity and heavy, thundery showers, BBC weather centre said, with western areas likely to see the wettest weather.

Various parts of England were hit by severe thunderstorms on Saturday night.

In Birmingham, a 17-year-old boy suffered a cardiac arrest and five others were hurt in a lightning strike.

The Department of Health has advised people to keep their homes as cool as possible and remembering the needs of friends, relatives and neighbours who could be at risk is essential.