York bakes today after being placed under amber alert

The alert was placed on the entirety of Yorkshire by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and will remain in place until 11pm on Friday (June 26).

People sweltered under a humid 30C heat in the city centre – with many seeking sanctuary under park shade – enjoying ice creams and cold drinks.

Recommended reading:

It comes as southern England and the Midlands have been placed under a red heat alert for the same period.

Even Paddington Bear enjoyed the rays today (Image: Newsquest)

In response, National Rail has urged passengers not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

A spokesperson for the company advised that should the public they travel today or tomorrow, all should carry water with them – using water refill stations at all Network Rail managed stations, which includes Leeds Railway Station.

Shops in York have also responded to the heat, with FatFace in High Ousegate placing a notice on its doors, informing the public that doors would remain closed to keep temperatures inside cool for customers.

The Shambles in York offered a reprieve from the soaring temperatures today (Image: Newsquest)

The amber heat alert was placed on York on Wednesday (June 23).

Forecasters say the hot conditions, which have been very rare in the UK until now, will be accompanied by high humidity and very warm nights, making it hard for people to recover overnight.

The temperature warning added that there would likely be an increased demand on health and social care services during this time, with the heat affecting many in work and those travelling.

Many enjoyed ice cream in the city centre (Image: Newquest)

Tomorrow, York will be hit with similarly high temperatures, with highs of 28C at 2pm and lows of 17C into the early morning on Friday (June 26).

In Malton the weather will be more moderate at 24 degrees but will soar to 33 degrees on Friday.

At the coast, beach-goers will be able to enjoy mostly dry weather and beautiful clear skies in Scarborough this weekend, with highs up to 30C on Friday, cooling to 27C and 23C on Saturday and Sunday.

As people flock outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and cool down, fire chiefs have urged the public to take extra care in outdoor spaces with the increased risk of wildfires and water-related deaths.

People flocked to the Minster for some much-needed shade (Image: Newsquest)

Phil Garrigan, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) chairman, said: “We have already seen the consequences that periods of extreme heat can have, with a number of lives tragically lost in water-related incidents during recent hot weather.”

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

He urged drivers to avoid non-essential journeys if their vehicles do not have effective air conditioning, adding that longer wait are more likely.

For more on this and the weather where you are, please see here.