Holiday goers jetting off to Spain are being warned to take protective measures as extreme weather warnings have been issued. Whilst the UK is having a ‘mini-heatwave’ and seeing warmer weather this week, parts of Spain are already experiencing temperatures way into the 40Cs, with more sweltering weather likely to come at the height of summer.
Areas such as Costa del Sol, as well as the Balearic and Canary Islands, are expected to have the most intense conditions up until the end of next week. In Andalusia, which has already seen its first serious forest fire of the summer, an orange weather warning has been issued with highs of 44C forecast. Many other parts of the country are on yellow alert, reports The Liverpool Echo.
Residents and tourists alike have been making every effort to stay cool amid the sweltering temperatures, which Spain's meteorological agency (AEMET) has described as the earliest such heat wave since 1981. AEMET has issued weather warnings across the country throughout the week, highlighting the severity of the high temperatures.
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Accuweather reports vendors sold hats and bottles of water to help people beat the heat on the streets of Madrid, where temperatures reached 40C on Tuesday (June 14).
Alyssa Smithmyer, European forecaster at Accuweather, said: "To put the intensity of the heat into perspective, the highest recorded temperature at the Madrid Airport during the month of June is 41.2C, and the city stands a chance of nearing that mark again on Wednesday."
Accuweather also predicts hotter-than-average weather during some parts of July and August.
Those heading to southern parts of Spain are have been urged to take preventative measures to protect themselves from the heat, such as staying indoors, ensuring they stay hydrated and wearing SPF 50 sun cream. AAMET said: "The heat will be very intense on the mainland and in the Balearics at least until next Wednesday and it is not ruled out that it could extend for a couple of days. The intense heatwave is very rare for the month of June."
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