A RED weather warning will be in place on Monday and Tuesday as sweltering temperatures are expected to climb even higher.

In St Helens, there are forecasts that the temperature could be 28C by noon on Monday and then climb to 33C between 4pm and 6pm.

The Met Office predicts the intense heat will mean temperatures will still be up at 28C at 11pm and 24C during the early hours of Monday.

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Tuesday's heat will be just as intense and the mercury is set to hit 34C on Tuesday afternoon.

Red warning for extreme heat

St Helens is among the areas covered by the red warning for extreme heat. The UK’s first red extreme heat warning has also been issued by the Met Office across a large part of England from London to Manchester and York on Monday and Tuesday.

This is what the Met Office states:

"An exceptional hot spell on Monday and Tuesday leading to widespread impacts on people and infrastructure."

What to expect

"Population-wide adverse health effects experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to 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 will be required

"High risk of failure of heat-sensitive systems and equipment, potentially leading to localised loss of power and other essential services, such as water or mobile phone services

"Significantly more people visiting coastal areas, lakes and rivers, leading to an increased risk of water safety incidents

"Delays on roads and road closures, along with delays and cancellations to rail and air travel, with significant welfare issues for those who experience even moderate delays."

College of Paramedics chief executive Tracy Nicholls said the “ferocious heat” the UK is predicted to experience over the next few days could have a detrimental effect on Britons.

Climate attribution scientist at the Met Office Dr Nikos Christidis said the 40C prediction for London is a result of climate change.

The UK Health Security Agency has also issued a heat health warning at level four, which is described as a “national emergency”.

This isn't like a lovely hot day

Ms Nicholls told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “This isn’t like a lovely hot day where we can put a bit of sunscreen on, go out and enjoy a swim and a meal outside.

“This is serious heat that could actually, ultimately, end in people’s deaths because it is so ferocious. We’re just not set up for that sort of heat in this country.”

Her comments were made after Mr Raab said people should take precautions ahead of the record-breaking temperatures but added that they should be able to enjoy themselves.

“Obviously there is some common-sense practical advice we are talking about – stay hydrated, stay out of the sun at the hottest times, wear sun cream – those sorts of things,” he told Sophy Ridge On Sunday.

“We ought to enjoy the sunshine and actually we ought to be resilient enough through some of the pressures it will place.”

Ministers held a virtual emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday after meteorologists warned the record high temperatures could put lives at risk.

Additional contingency support for ambulance services, such as more call handlers and extra working hours, have been put in place on Monday and Tuesday.

Transport services are expected to be disrupted on both days, with Cabinet Office Minister Kit Malthouse urging people not to travel.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the NHS Confederation said hospitals are going to be “really, really pushed” over the next few days.

Lord Victor Adebowale said the NHS “will cope”, but added that “coping isn’t good enough”.

He told Times Radio: “My members are pretty stretched at the moment. Ambulances are operating at their peak, the waiting times for ambulances are now getting longer.

“The NHS will cope but coping isn’t good enough. We need to be actually operating in a way that allows people to get the treatment they need wherever needed, in good time. And that’s a struggle.”