Gloucester City Council, Bristol City Council, and Wiltshire Council have now joined Somerset Council in activating their Severe Weather Emergency Plan (SWEP), providing targeted support for rough sleepers until Friday.

According to the charity Shelter, rough sleepers are at high risk during periods of hot weather because they may be lying on hot tarmac or in direct sun with little access to water or shade.

They also may suffer from health conditions or addictions, and alcohol and other substances are dehydrating.

While heat SWEP does not include an accommodation offer, increased patrols will provide water and sunscreen, while directing people to a network of designated “cool spaces”.

The public are being asked to contact emergency services if they are concerned about the health or safety of a rough sleeper.

Mike Gilmore
BBC News, West of England

Julie Sanders, in Bedminster, Bristol, says she's ventured out of her home today out of necessity.

“I’ve only come out today because I’ve had to. Usually I’m at home [with the] doors shut, windows shut, fans on," she says.

To keep safe, Julie says she's been trying to stay out of direct sunlight.

"Hopefully the stores I’ve got to go in have air conditioning to keep cool.”

Mike Gilmore
West of England

How do you cope with the heat?

Philomena Ala, in Bedminster, Bristol, works in Greece during the summer and said the best way to beat the heat is to be in the water.

"I think we’re going to buy a paddling pool and sit in that," she said.

Her advice to keep safe: “Wear loads of sun cream, wear a hat, drink a lot [of water] and if you get too hot, go inside and find some shade.”

Find out more about how to stay safe in the water here.

Bea Swallow
West of England

After the Plimsoll Bridge in Bristol was forced to close in May when its steel structure overheated, Bristol City Council says scheduled swings of the bridge have been temporarily suspended to avoid history repeating itself.

A council spokesperson said forecasts suggest the surface temperature of the road network could peak at about 53C this week.

Image source, Google

In Chepstow, the Old Wye Bridge could face similar structural issues over the coming days.

The 210-year-old bridge linking Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire only reopened to pedestrians on Saturday after months of being closed due to cracks in its structural beams.

But engineers warned the structure was sensitive to heat, and will likely be forced to close again when temperatures go above 30C.

Image source, Getty Images

Bea Swallow
West of England

A further spate of schools have confirmed they will close their doors early on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to prioritise the wellbeing of pupils and staff amid extreme temperatures.

In Wiltshire, students will be sent home from Malmesbury School, St John's Marlborough and Hardenhuish School from 12:35 BST.

Image source, Getty Images

Students at Cirencester Deer Park Secondary in Gloucestershire will also be sent home at 12:35.

In a statement, the secondary school said: "[This decision] has not been taken lightly, but it is the right one for our school given the current conditions on site and extreme temperatures forecast."

St Gregory's Catholic College in Bath will also shut from at 13:30. Students who are eligible for free school meals will be able to collect a sandwich before they leave.

It follows some early school closures already today.

Bea Swallow
West of England

As people flock to rivers and beauty spots to cool off in the water, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people of the dangers of cold water shock.

If you do find yourself in difficulty, its advice is as follows:

• Don’t panic - fight your instinct to thrash around
• Lean back in the water, and float on your back until the effects of cold water shock pass
• Call for help or swim to safety when able
• If someone is in trouble in the water, call 999. At the coast, ask for the coastguard. If you are inland, ask for the fire service
• Never enter the water to attempt a rescue

Image source, Getty Images

Group manager Shaun Milton said: “The exceptional weather that is forecast for the coming days means that we all need to take care when out and about.

"We want people to enjoy the sunshine, but we do urge everyone to think about what they’re doing and perhaps amend their plans to stay as safe as possible.”

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England

People flocking to their nearest coastlines to cool off are being reminded to use lifeguarded beaches for their safety.

Patrol times at lifeguarded beaches run from 10:00 to 18:00 BST.

"Remember, if there are no flags, there are no lifeguards," said regional water safety lead for the RNLI Steve Instance.

The RNLI is also appealing to people to share water safety advice with family and friends, particularly young people and teenagers, who accounted for the majority of drowning fatalities during the last heatwave.

"Cold water shock is a real danger, which we particularly want people to be aware of," Instance said.

"The sea or open water may look inviting during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly, it’s best to enter the water slowly to gradually acclimatise."

Drivers could see gritters out on some roads this week due to the potential for surfaces to soften or become sticky under the heat, with heavy traffic even causing them to rut in some places.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “If drivers come across a softened or damaged surface, they should slow down, avoid harsh braking or steering, and leave extra space from the vehicle in front.”

Avon and Somerset Police is asking people to look out for their vulnerable family, friends and neighbours who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated during the hot weather.

The force also advises anybody travelling to pack plenty of water, snacks and a phone charger and to plan their route.

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England

Image source, PA

Are you able to opt for using public transport instead of your own vehicle this week?

Rod Dennis, road safety spokesperson at RAC, warns there could be a record number of breakdowns this week as the heat puts extra strain on vehicles.

He is urging drivers to avoid non-essential journeys if their vehicles do not have effective air-conditioning.

“The heatwave will affect services right across the UK and while all patrols will be working incredibly hard to assist drivers, longer waits are more likely,” he said, adding that some simple basic checks under the bonnet could reduce the risk of breakdowns," he says.

Ruth Bradley
Politics reporter, BBC Somerset

At a hairdressers in Bridgwater, owner Jo Bryant says she's been changing her appointments around to take place during the cooler mornings.

She's also been using tepid and cool water on her clients and giving them a choice if they want a blow dry or not to make their visits more comfortable.

"I don't put the lights on to reduce the heat, I've got a fan on. It's so hot, it's not worth it," Bryant says.

"It's the afternoon that's worse in here because the sun comes down to the windows and through the glass roof.

"There's 90-year-old on Thursday that my husband's got and I said I think we should ring them and advise to reschedule."

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England

Health and social care services across the country are being told to ensure they are prepared for the extreme heat this week.

Sarah Bird, lead consultant in health protection at the UK Health Security Agency South West, says it is "vitally important" everyone understands the risk post by high temperatures.

“Simple actions like staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool can make a big difference.

"It’s also important to look out for others, especially elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions, to make sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.”

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England

The UK Health Security Agency has issued a red heat health alert across the West which will run from 01:00 BST on Wednesday until 23:00 BST on Thursday.

It is only the second time a red alert has ever been issued - the first one was issued in July 2022, although the warning system was only introduced in 2021.

The alert indicates a risk to life for even the healthy population, as well as the vulnerable. It also signifies there could be an impact beyond health and social care, with potential effects on transport, food, water, energy supplies, and businesses.

Image source, Getty Images

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has cancelled events due to take place in Salisbury this week.

The BHA’s hot weather policy states fixtures will be abandoned where racecourses fall within a red warning zone.

The organisation says it will managed each fixture on a case-by-case basis.

"Trainers are reminded that horses should not be moved from or through any areas where red heat warnings are in place," it added.

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England

Many people will be worried about keeping their pets cool during this week's extreme heat.

Here are some tips from the British Veterinary Association:

• Make sure they have access to fresh water, ventilation and shade at all times
• Provide them with a cool mat and fan indoors
• For rabbits and guinea pigs, provide extra shade by covering the top of wire mesh runs with damp towels
• Lightly mist rabbits’ ears with cold water to help cool them, as long as this does not stress them

• Put your palm flat on the tarmac for five seconds. If it feels too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog’s paws

• Watch out for early signs of heatstroke, such as heavy panting, drooling, restlessness, bright red or very pale gums, and a lack of coordination

• Signs of heatstroke in rabbits include drooling, salivating, lethargy, short and shallow breaths, red and warm ears, wet nose and seizures

If you suspect your pet has heatstroke or any other heat-related condition, take it to a cool, well-ventilated place, give it small amounts of cold water to drink and seek immediate advice from your vet.

Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
West of England

Dog owners are being advised to stick to early morning and late evening walks to avoid exercising their pets during the hottest parts of the day.

Each summer, vets across the West report treating dogs for heatstroke, burnt paw pads, sunburn and breathing difficulties, with some sadly unable to be saved.

The British Veterinary Associations says dogs are unable to cool down quickly through sweating, making them vulnerable to overheating and meaning even a short walk in the middle of the day, or being locked in a car for a few minutes, can be fatal.

Runners who were ready to take part in the Frampton 10k will now have to wait after organisers postponed it due to the hot weather.

The event's safety team and director says the risk of severe exertional heat illness was "simply too high to safely manage".

"As a community club, the health and safety of our runners, volunteers, and the wider public must always come first," they said.

The team is looking for a replacement date and says all existing entries will be automatically transferred.

Chloe Harcombe
West of England

Image source, Getty Images

Weather patterns are changing as the world has been warming up quickly over the past 100 years.

The World Meteorological Organisation says the world’s 11 warmest years on record have all happened since 2015.

Natural weather patterns are partly to blame. El Niño - which occurs in the Pacific Ocean roughly every two to seven years - has officially started and many forecasts suggest it could end up among the strongest ever recorded.

The phenomenon occurs when the winds blowing across the ocean change direction, causing warmer water to spread elsewhere.

But this natural weather pattern is not entirely to blame, as experts say human activities have also impacted global temperatures.

Our widespread use of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

These gases rise up and act like a blanket, trapping extra energy and causing the planet to heat up.

Dr Will Lang, from the Met Office, says: “These heatwaves are becoming more frequent and more severe due to the changing climate”.

Bea Swallow
West of England

At the Pantry in the Old Town of Swindon, Sam Chopra says the independent coffee shop will stay open this week, with fans blowing in the kitchen to circulate heat.

He added one fridge has been stocked completely full of cold drinks to keep customers hydrated, with a back-up store around the back.

"Most of our customers are elderly and a lot of them want to avoid the heat, so this week we'll more likely get the passers-by," he said.

"We take care of our staff as well. The staff can have as many water breaks as they need, and lots of breaks for a breather."