BRITS are set to bask in 30C today as thousands pitch up at Glastonbury Festival amid a heat health warning this week.
A yellow heat health alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office - as more than 200,000 drivers are expected to travel for the event today.
The health notice came into force yesterday and will remain in place until Thursday, as forecasters warn of a likely "increase in mortality across the population".
Heat alerts will be in force for every region of England except the north east, which is covered by a green alert.
OAPs and people with health conditions are most at risk, but young people could also suffer in the heat.
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Today, temperatures are set to climb steadily into the afternoon, with highs of 31C expected in the south east.
The mercury could rise to anywhere between 28C to 31C from mid Wales to the south east coast.
Meanwhile Scotland and Northern Ireland are forecast to reach temperatures around 21C or 22C with the help of sunshine.
There was also a weather update for tens of thousands of Glastonbury Festival fans as they started to arrive at the event in Somerset today.
Huge queues formed overnight and this morning as fans arrived for the event with traffic problems expected on routes to the site.
Fans can look forward to "mostly warm, dry and settled" weather, although some showers are expected on Thursday.
Met Meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: "A midweek peak in the heat but then temperatures closer to average from Thursday onwards.
"Much more agreeable temperatures, and although there will be a few spots of rain on Thursday afternoon as that cold front goes through, Friday, Saturday, Sunday we're back to sunny spells, light winds and highs of 21C."
Meanwhile, motorists headed to the event have been warned to ignore their sat-navs and follow official signs to Glastonbury Festival to prevent further gridlocked roads.
A spokesperson for RAC Breakdown said: "It's far better to follow the official directional signs to get to the right car park.
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"You don't want to end up at the wrong entrance - this creates more delays for everyone and is a sure-fire way of arriving at anything but the 'Speed of Sound'."
An incident this morning involving a van and a lorry on the A371 near Wincanton is expected to disrupt travel plans.
Emergency services were called at around 5.20am to reports of the crash near Bratton Seymour, with one person "significantly" injured.
The road has been closed between West Hill and Gibbet Road.
Those travelling to Glastonbury Festival on the A303 eastbound can take the alternative A36/A361, A350/A361, or continue past the A371 and take the A359 or A37.
And, major roads including the M5 and A303 are expected to face heavy delays with the RAC suggesting any routes into the Somerset site will likely see tailbacks.
As temperatures soar to possible highs of 31C today, the RAC urged festivalgoers to have a stock of water in their cars.
They have also been urged to check their vehicles before setting off for the five day festival, from oil and coolant levels to tyre condition.
Glastonbury officials say the worst time to pitch up is between 7am and 2pm on Wednesday 26.
Further delays are also predicted when the main stage opens on Friday 28.
But drivers who attempt to arrive early will be turned away and forced to wait in the car park, the festival warned.
Traffic congestion is to be factored into travel plans on Sunday, June 30 and Monday, July 1 as music fans head home.
Festival and beachgoers across the UK have been warned of the rising temperatures today.
Dr Luke Powles, associate clinical director at Bupa Health Clinics, said it was important to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include "a throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, cramping and nausea" and heatstroke, which is much more serious.
"The symptoms of heatstroke include not sweating even while feeling too hot, a high temperature of 40C or above, fast breathing or shortness of breath, feeling confused, loss of consciousness and being unresponsive," he added.
"Heatstroke is very serious and should be treated as an emergency."
Dr Powles recommended drinking 1.5 to two litres of fluid a day, which works out between eight to 10 glasses.
It comes as thousands flocked to beaches across the UK yesterday to soak up the sunshine.
Beachgoers have been urged to wear high factor sun cream and stay hydrated today.
And Rob Martin, managing director of care services at Anchor, said the later living charity was urging "the wider community to keep a close eye on older neighbours and their older relatives who may live alone and are more vulnerable in the heat."
"We recommend older people stay hydrated and keep out of the sunlight as much as possible," he added.
"In these temperatures, it's important to avoid caffeinated drinks as they are dehydrating. Drink plenty of cold fluids like water and fruit juices. We recommend taking regular sips of hydrating drinks throughout the day."
Pets owners have also been urged to watch out for their animals.
In particular, dogs taken out on long walks in the heat, or left unattended in warm cars.
It comes after the mercury reached 28.3C in Wisley, Surrey, on Monday while London saw a peak of 27.4C at St James's Park.
Figures rose to 26.9C in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and 25C in Northern Ireland at the start of the week.
Looking ahead, Brits in the south east of England could experience 32C heat on Thursday.
Met Meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: "On Thursday there's some question marks about how hot it will get in the east of England.
"Anywhere between 28C and 32C depending on how quickly cooler air returns towards the west, associated with a front that brings some spells of showers.
"And it will certainly cool down towards the north west as the breeze picks up and frequent showers arrive."
But, there will likely be outbreaks of rain forecast across the country and possibly some thundery conditions for some.
