Drought conditions could be declared in more parts of England next week as a fifth heatwave is expected.

Temperatures will begin to climb over the weekend, with a high of 36C expected in parts of East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday, and little rain on its way.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts across all of England except the North East and North West until Tuesday night.

The Environment Agency said England has received less than 10mm of rainfall for the seventh consecutive week and suggested that “several areas” could move towards or into drought next week.

Around half of England and the whole of Wales are already in drought after experiencing their driest July on record.

Helen Wakeham, the director of water at the Environment Agency and chair of the national drought group, said: “A second consecutive summer drought is an exceptionally serious situation and one that will have long-lasting impacts on our environment, wildlife, and the economy.”

She added: “The hot and dry weather means we are currently using water faster than nature can replenish it.

“We want everyone to stay safe and hydrated during the hot weather but every drop we can save is a drop more for nature and agriculture.”

The UK has already suffered through four heatwaves this year, with two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June resulting in more than 2,800 excess deaths.

Several wildfires have broken out in the UK over recent weeks, with large blazes at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales, and the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.

South West Water became the latest supplier to announce an official hosepipe ban on Friday, meaning nearly 26 million people across central and south England and Wales have their hosepipe use restricted.

Temperatures could reach 27C on Friday and 30C on Saturday, before climbing into the low 30s in southern and south-east England on Sunday.

In its long-term forecast from 12 to 21 August, the Met Office said south England will be mostly dry, sunny and hot, but there could be some rain in the North.

It added southern parts of the UK could turn cooler by next weekend, and areas of low pressure may start to track further South and East in late August.

Deputy chief forecaster Mike Silverstone said: “Temperatures will climb through the weekend and, more significantly, through much of next week. After a brief dip on Monday, high pressure will move across the UK before settling to the east, allowing a southerly flow to develop.

“A fairly widespread heatwave is likely across large parts of England and Wales, with hot conditions developing in places.

“The heat is expected to peak for much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday, with up to 34C possible in parts of central and southern England and southeast Wales. East Anglia and south-east England, however, could see temperatures even higher on Thursday.”