SCORCHING weather is on its way as temperatures are set to rocket to 30C in Worcester.

But extremely humid conditions will mean it feels more like a whopping 39C at times – that’s hotter than Malaga in southern Spain.

Sunny, hot conditions are predicted to last all week – combined with a chance of “really big” thunderstorms – before turning cooler on Sunday.

Forecaster Paul Michaelwaite, of Pershore-based netweather.tv, said: “This will be the first proper hot spell this summer.

“Most areas have had below average temperatures so far this year so this will be the summery spell we’ve all been waiting for.

“It will feel very hot and very humid, which can cause some people health problems.

“There is also a risk of some really big thunderstorms.”

The hottest day is likely to be Wednesday, with highs of 30C – feeling like 39C – between midday and 3pm before potential stormy conditions in the evening.

Friday is not far behind in the mercury stakes, with temperatures of between 24C and 27C predicted over a 12-hour period from 9am to 9pm.

Thunderstorms in the afternoon however may spoil the fun for any Worcester residents hoping to top up on their tans.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 30) will be sunny and clear all day while Thursday and Saturday will both be overcast with sunny spells and lower temperatures of up to 24C.

But the hot weather will regrettably not last forever. Sunday will see temperatures drop below 20C and next week the dreaded showers will return.

This week however is set to be so scorching that health warnings have been issued.

West Midlands Ambulance Service is bracing itself for an influx of calls relating to breathing problems during the heatwave – and is urging members of the public to show restraint before calling 999.

Dr Andrew Carson, the service’s medical director, said: “A prolonged heatwave poses a real danger to those patients with emphysema, asthma and long-term breathing problems.

“The hot weather makes breathing difficult even for healthy individuals. That’s why we suggest people with respiratory illnesses should remain indoors as much as possible.

“It is vital that we get to these patients as quickly as possible and would therefore ask the public to assist us by only calling 999 in life-threatening situations.”

Meanwhile the Met Office has declared a level two heat-health alert for most of the country and Public Health England has advised people to enjoy the sunshine safely by applying sunscreen, wearing UV sunglasses, keeping hydrated and staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.