The Met Office has elevated Gloucestershire into the highest heatwave warning bracket.
The South West is now judged to be level three - amber - with a 90% chance of heatwave conditions for today and tomorrow.
It means parts of the county will reach 30 degrees during the day and 15 degrees at night.
The heatwave action alert is triggered when the Met Office confirms threshold temperatures for one or more regions have been reached for one day and the following night, and the forecast for the next day is greater than 90% confidence that the day threshold will be met.
This stage requires social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.
The forecast sees the sunny conditions continuing today with 'plenty of sunshine' and a maximum temperature of 31 degrees according to the Met Office.
Some cloud may develop in the afternoon with a slight risk of some isolated thundery downpours.
Tonight will see lingering cloud melting away with largely clear skies across the region overnight.
It will remain warm, especially in towns and cities with a minimum temperature 14 degrees.
On Friday most places will be sunny, but as with previous days a little cloud may bubble up, mainly in the north.
It will be very warm again, although perhaps feeling marginally cooler than Thursday. Maximum temperature 29 °C.
The outlook for Saturday to Monday will see most areas largely sunny and dry although there is a slight chance of isolated thundery showers developing. Remaining very warm with temperatures continuing above average.
A Met Office spokesman said: "Into next week though the temperatures are going to increase again, and it's likely we'll see summer thunderstorms and some heavy rain showers breaking out on Monday and Tuesday especially during the afternoon/evening periods.
"Obviously any rainfall will reduce the current elevated risk of wildfires, although it's a little soon yet to judge whether or not the showers will be heavy enough to bring any risk of surface water flooding next week."
Following this Met Office alert, Doctors from Public Health England in the South West are advising people to keep safe in the sun, seek shade to cool down and keep hydrated with plenty of cool fluids.
Top advice for being sun safe:• Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm• Wear sunscreen• Wear loose cotton clothing• Drink lots of cool drinks• Seek shade• Wear sunglasses and a hat• Look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses • Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
Remember that it can get uncomfortably hot indoors too. Try to keep your bedroom and living space cool, by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening your windows at cooler times of the day and overnight when you can. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat.
Health and social care workers in the community, hospitals and care homes are advised to regularly check on vulnerable patients, share sun safety messages, make sure room temperatures are set below 26 degrees, ensure patients have access to cold water and ice and that medicines are stored in a cool place.
Local authorities, professionals and community groups can prepare for hot weather by reviewing the Heatwave Plan on the PHE website.
Dr Jenny Harries, Regional Director, South of England said: "While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.
"The Heatwave Plan is an important component of overall emergency planning and sets out a series of clear actions that can be taken by healthcare organisations, local authorities, professionals working with vulnerable people, and individuals to help keep people safe during extreme heat.
"During very hot weather, pregnant women and people who have chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular, respiratory, renal conditions, diabetes or Parkinson's disease, may experience discomfort if indoor temperatures are particularly hot and in using public transport. Employers should ensure indoor areas are kept cool and consider allowing these individuals to travel to or from their place of work during cooler, or less busy, times of the day. For those working or exercising outdoors, strenuous physical exertion during the hottest part of the day should be kept to a minimum.
"To prepare for any type of hot weather this summer, we strongly encourage each locality to consider the actions in this plan and adapt them to their local situation, as a component of wider resilience planning and long-term climate change adaptation arrangements.
"Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool drinks. The elderly and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it's important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible." Latest Cheltenham weather forecastLatest Gloucester weather forecastLatest Stroud weather forecast
Here's our top 10 tips for keeping cool and getting a good night's sleep:
1) It seems obvious but, unless you live in a high crime area, open those windows wide long before you go to bed.
2) Keep inside doors wedged open all day long, including your bedroom door. The air can circulate much better and it will keep humidity down.
3) Use electric fans. That little bit of extra money on one that is quiet enough not to keep you awake is worth it.
4) Get thin cotton sheets. Don't go using any of that nylon made stuff. Cotton sheets can absorb sweat instead of leaving you covered in a film of moisture.
5) Do not have a cold shower before you go to bed, as good as the temporary relief may feel, it just stops you from sweating as much…in turn making you hotter later.
6) Drink plenty of water. Keep hydrated throughout the day and before you go to bed. Dehydration will wake you up in the night.
7) Use blinds not curtains. Thick heavy curtains are the worst offenders and don't allow the air to circulate, blinds can let the air through but keep the light out.
8) A late night alcoholic beverage may help you get to sleep, but it won't help you stay asleep. If uninterrupted sleep is what you want, then steer away from the drinks cabinet.
9) Keep the curtains or blinds closed during the day. We all know of the "Greenhouse Effect" and having curtains closed will help guard against it. A hot house can take a whole day to cool down.
10) Don't sleep naked. Counterintuitive as this may seem, thin loose fitting, cotton clothes will wick away the moisture quicker…keeping you cool.
Please remember that open windows invite criminals and insects, large ground floor or accessible windows should only be left open if you are awake and in the house. Leave them on vent where possible.
As for the insect problem, lights off, curtains shut or if it is that bad…nets on the windows.
