ILKLEY is set to bask in glorious sunshine today as the country braces itself for what could be the hottest day ever.

The Met Office is predicting highs of 33C for the region, but has also issued a yellow weather warning for more thunderstorms. Extreme weather hit in the early hours of Wednesday morning as a major thunderstorm battered the district and cut power out in some areas. Today will be another very warm and sunny day - but this is the calm between the storms, according to forecasters. The hot weather is predicted to spark scattered thunderstorms from around 3pm, which will continue overnight. Drivers are warned that spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures.

Flooding and power cuts could also occur, and public transport could be affected due to flooding and lightning strikes, the Met Office said. The warning covers most of the country. As temperatures rise, families are being urged to stay protected and take extra care in the sun. The NHS has said there has been a boom in the number of visits to its website for heat-related illness. There were more than 22,000 visits on June 23 to the heat exhaustion and heatstroke page, compared to an average of 4,242 visits to the same page throughout the rest of the month.

Dr Louise Clarke, from the NHS Bradford district and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “As babies and children burn easily in the sun, keep them in the shade, especially during the middle of the day. Sun cream with a 30 or 50, sun protection factor (SPF) will help to keep their skin protected. Don’t forget to apply it all over and especially to their shoulders, back of the neck, nose, ears, cheeks, and the tops of their feet and reapply often.”

Tips include: Stay in the shade; use an SPF 30 or 50 sun cream; drink plenty of water and avoid excess alcohol; check up on people who may be vulnerable; plan ahead; keep rooms cool; wear sunglasses and a hat with a wide brim; keep babies less than six months old in the shade; have cool baths or showers and, when swimming, use a waterproof sun cream and reapply regularly. People with diabetes are also advised to monitor blood glucose levels more often; keep meters and test strips away from the sun; keep insulin in a fridge or cool bag and apply sun cream on the feet.

Meanwhile, the Canal & River Trust is urging people to stay out of the water and Highways England has advised motorists to stay hydrated; plan and leave plenty of time for journeys; check the weather forecast for your destination; check travel conditions and ensure you - and your car - are fit for the journey.

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