Today set to be hottest day of the year so far - this is how it affects shops and drivers

According to experts at the MET Office, temperatures will hit 26 degrees celcius between 3pm and 5pm across the North West. It is expected to be sunniest across the south of the region.

The conditions are being brought by an Iberian plume moving into Britain carrying with it much warmer weather. While the sunshine and temperatures might be welcomed by most after a dreary and wet start to the year, it’s not good news for some - especially in the food sector.

Cinderbake’s brownies among the best in the UK

Award-winning Penwortham cake shop Cinderbake has announced it is closing all day. In a Facebook post, management at the shop in Hawksbury Drive, Kingsfold, wrote: “Apologies for any inconvenience but we have decided to close the shop tomorrow due to the heat. It's meant to be 25-27 degrees which is far too hot for our bakes  so we will see you as normal on Thursday instead.”

Drivers

Drivers are also being warned of issues caused by high temperatures. Motoring expert Graham Conway, of vehicle lease firm Select Van Leasing, says some drivers might be tempted to avoid drinking sufficient amounts of water prior in a bid to swerve unscheduled lavatory pit stops. 

But the effects can be catastrophic - with science suggesting that being dehydrated behind the wheel can be just as bad as drunk driving. Mr Conway says: “The NHS recommends that you should drink around six to eight glasses of water per day to stay properly hydrated, and more than that in a hot environment. 

“UK motorists need to be mindful of that fact if they’re going to get behind the wheel of a car during a heatwave, particularly if they’re embarking on a long journey.  “The effects of dehydration include tiredness and lethargy, dizziness, headaches, confusion, muscle cramps, and a general lack of concentration. 

 “Any of those symptoms could have potentially a catastrophic impact on the standards of a person’s driving, so it’s crucial that motorists stay on top of their fluid intake, even if it means more stop-offs at motorway services on longer road trips.”

Long term forecast

At the end of the month, it is expected that temperatures will fall slightly, peaking at 24C in the south and 20C in the north, peaking around urban areas such as major cities. The weekend in the North West is set to be cloudy, with temperatures around 16 and 17C.