Foreign Office updates travel advice for Spain, France and Portugal as extreme weather alerts issued
The UK experienced its hottest June day on record on Wednesday (24 June) - but it's also cracking the flags across the continent.
Brits were left feeling as though they were abroad as temperatures exceeded a staggering 36C and our neighbours have been seriously feeling the heat too.
As a result of the heatwave that is rippling across Europe, the Foreign Office issued fresh travel guidance earlier this week...so if you're heading off on a break, you ought to brush up on it.
In response to the 'extreme temperatures' that have been felt across the continent, the UK government updated their advice for holidaymakers on Tuesday (23 June).
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As the mercury soared - resulting in health warnings being issued, school closures and transport chaos - experts have been sharing their concerns that Europe is simply not equipped to deal with this kind of heat.
The glorious sunshine that has left a lot of us in a pool of sweat has been driven by a 'heat-dome' settling over western Europe.
According to the Met Office, loads of countries are experiencing temperatures that are 'well above average for the time of year', including holiday hotspots such as Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.
Explaining why on earth it's suddenly got so hot, meteorologists said: "The developing heatwave is being driven by a strong area of high pressure building over continental Europe. This high pressure is promoting widespread sinking air, which suppresses cloud formation, allows for prolonged sunshine and leads to increasing temperatures through compressional heating.
"As this process continues through the week, temperatures across much of central and western Europe will rise steadily, pushing well beyond seasonal norms. In many cases, temperatures are expected to reach around 10°C above average for mid-June, highlighting the unusual nature of this early summer heat event.
"The extent of this heat is striking, covering large parts of central and northwestern Europe, and bringing conditions that are considered extreme compared to long-term climatology."
So, given that you really will take the weather with you if you're jetting of on a European getaway, let's take a look at what the Foreign Office have said.
The guidance for Brit travellers heading to Spain, Portugal or France was updated to warn people that 'there is a risk of higher than normal temperatures' in these destinations during the summer months.
Holidaymakers have been advised to regularly check weather forecasts and possible warnings issued by officials to ensure they are prepared for the conditions.
It instructs people to 'follow guidance' issued by local authorities in the area which they are travelling to, while checking in with your travel provider is also recommended.
The Foreign Office also advised folks to check out the NHS' suggestions for staying as cool as possible during the heatwave, given that the temperatures are so high they can put our health at risk.
Spain
Experts from Spain’s national weather service, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), have warned that temperatures will hit 40C and above in some regions.
Extreme weather warnings are in place across the following locations: Andalucía, Aragón, Principado de Asturias, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña, Extremadura, Galicia, Comunidad de Madrid, Comunidad Foral de Navarra, País Vasco and La Rioja.
France
A similar situation is unfolding across France amid the heatwave, prompting officials to issue red weather alerts in 14 areas as temperatures also neared 40C.
These include Marne, Meuse, Ardennes, Haute-Marne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Haute-Saône, Moselle, Vosges, Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, Territoire de Belfort, Jura, Doubs and Loire.
France’s national weather service, Météo-France, warned of 'exceptionally high temperatures, both day and night' taking hold across the country.
Portugal
An orange alert was issued by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) across the districts of Bragança, Guarda, and Vila Real amid the heatwave.
Yellow alerts were also in place for Viseu, Évora, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Braga, and Portalegre.
IPMA warned that the 'high temperatures and low humidity is contributing to an increased Rural Fire Danger' and urged people to 'take preventative measures' to be on the safe side.
Italy
Italy isn't immune to the impact of the heatwave either, as the country's Ministry of Health announced more than a dozen cities are under a red alert.
This includes the likes of Ancona, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Florence, Frosinone, Milan, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Venice, Verona, Viterbo and Latina, which are set to bear the brunt of the heat.
So, make sure you pack plenty of suncream, remember to stay hydrated, and keep up to date with local advice if you're jetting off somewhere.
Olivia Burke