Temperatures in Spain are approaching an all-time high as a severe heatwave spreads across the country, with extreme heat also affecting other countries in Europe.
Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET has warned of “extraordinary danger” as it forecasts temperatures of up to 44C on Thursday, which is only a few degrees short of the 47.6C record heat that hit the country five years ago.
The country is also dealing with one of the worst wildfires it has ever experienced after burning through an estimated 79,000 acres in the Guadalajara region.
Meanwhile, France has had to evacuate thousands of people near Bordeaux in southwestern France due to wildfires that have ripped through the region.
Here are the latest updates for each country as many of them start edging out of heatwaves, while others remain with extreme temperatures. Each country has their own way of sending out weather warnings, but for the most part, a “red” level means dangerous conditions.
When will the next heatwave be in Europe’s holiday destinations?
Spain
Aemet, the Spanish weather agency, has issued a red “extraordinary danger” warning on Thursday, 23 July, as forecasts for temperatures reach 44C in Murcia. It is also expected to reach 42C in Albacete, Valencia and Alicante.
Orange and yellow warnings are also spread across much of eastern and central regions of Spain, with temperatures forecast in the low 40s and high 30s. Storm warnings have also been issued.
The agency says danger of wildfires remained “very high or extreme” across most of mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, with even more regions in the country under the “extreme” alert on Friday until the hazard levels ease off over the weekend.
Alerts of the extreme heat are expected to continue into Friday, but come the weekend, Aemet says there will be some brief respite from the heat until the temperatures rise again in the following days.
France
The weather has cooled down from the previous heatwave, with most regions experiencing high 20s or low 30s. This trend will remain into next week after a short cooler spell over the weekend.
While temperatures are not as extreme as Spain, Meteo-France is warning of a high forest fire risk around the Mediterranean coast and Corsica, as well as in the southwest and west of the country.
Severe droughts are affecting river levels across the country, meaning some tourists activities such as sailing and watersports could be impacted. Water restrictions are also in place for private properties.
Read more: How could droughts in France affect your summer holiday?
Portugal
There will be dry weather and slightly above average temperatures in Portugal this weekend, with maximum temperatures of up to 40C. For the most part, temperatures will stay within the mids 20C, especially on the coast, over the coming days. There are no weather warnings in place.
Italy
In Italy, two cities currently have red weather warnings in place, including Cagliari and Palermo with maximum temperatures both predicted up to 37C.
Cagliari also has a red weather warning for Friday of up to 38C. The majority of other Italian cities have a green or yellow weather status over the next few days, while Saturday has no significant weather warnings.
Wildfires have also broken out in the country, with a firefighter dying after tackling a blaze in Sicily.
Greece
According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), Greece will be facing heavy rains and thunderstorms over the coming days, with red warnings in Sporades, Evia and Thessaly on Friday and in Evia on Saturday.
Strong winds, a high frequency of lightening, and local hail are also possible; however, temperatures have dropped from the recent sweltering heatwave, which saw temperatures reaching 41C and a ban on outdoor work in the middle of the day.
On Friday, storms and heavy rain is expected across almost the entire country with yellow and orange warnings in place.
Croatia
Croatia’s weather service, DHMZ, says there are no significant weather warnings reaching red alert level over the next few days.
DHMZ said it will be mostly sunny until Saturday in the country, windy on Friday, with strong sea winds in places with storm gusts. Temperatures will reach a high of 30C on Thursday but will stay cooler in most areas.
Are wildfires affecting tourist destinations?
Yes. Wildfires are currently burning in France, Spain and Italy following high temperatures on the continent.
Around 12,000 people have been evacuated from homes and holiday lets in the south-west of France after more than 7,000 acres of land have been destroyed around the Bay of Arcachon. Meanwhile, 8,800 people are also being moved as wildfires spread in the Gironde region.
Meanwhile in Sicily, in an update on Wednesday, the head of the Sicilian Civil Protection, Salvo Cocina, said there had been more than 350 fires on the island, including 10 large ones which led to precautionary evacuations.
In Spain, firefighters battled a wildfire on Wednesday that has burned more than 79,000 acres in rural Guadalajara in central Spain near Madrid, becoming the second-largest blaze in the country’s history.
Read more: Thousands evacuated as deadly wildfires continue to rage across Europe
