TEMPERATURES are set to reach the low 30s next week, with concerns the county could see no rain until August.

Tom Defty, weatherman at the Essex Weather Centre, said the higher temperatures could cause a number of problems for residents and the county’s natural world.

So far, it hasn’t rained for 49 days in some areas and temperatures have been in the mid-20s for most of July.

The Met Office has put in place a yellow weather warning for 2pm until midnight today for thunderstorms across Essex, but Mr Defty said this was unlikely.

He said that it is more likely there will be some localised showers, before the temperatures reach 32 or 33 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Defty said: “When we had the heat wave in 2003, we had temperatures of 37.5 recorded in Essex.

“Hundreds of thousands of people died in France because the weather stayed in the 30s for several days.

“When that happened, plans started to be put in place that if it happened here, we would be prepared. It is possible that by 2030, temperatures will hit 40 degrees in Essex.”

He warned the hot weather could be fatal for the elderly and infants, as well as causing problems for those with respiratory problems.

The heat and dry weather also increases the risk of fires and has caused the sea levels to rise, with the temperature of the sea at Southend seafront reaching 20.3 degrees.

Mr Defty added: “A heat wave like this is always something I have dreaded since 2003.

“Our country is not prepared for temperatures in the 30s for several days. Our houses don’t have air conditioning and the infrastructure like trains also can’t cope.”