Holidaymakers in Spain are being warned to take extra care as temperatures soar into the triple digits for the third day running with the sweltering weather set to continue.
Spain's meteorological agency has confirmed it's the earliest such heatwave since 1981 and are warning residents and visitors it could carry on until the weeked.
According to the agency, parts of Aragon especially around Zaragoza will be the worst hit part of Spain being issued a 'High Risk' heat warning meaning the scorching temperatures could last for five days.
In Madrid, temperatures soared to 101F (38C) on Monday and 104F (40C) on Tuesday, and by the weekend, the capital may have registered as many as five consecutive days of triple-digit heat, according to AccuWeather's forecast.
Daily warnings are being issued for many popular tourist hotspots including Barcelona, Cordoba and Seville with an 'important risk' tier warning.
The Balearic Islands, which includes destinations such as Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, are expected to reach temperaturs of the high 30Cs.
Highs are predicted to near 39C on the holiday island of Mallorca by Saturday. High temperatures are also likely to sweep across much of France by the middle of this week.
Alyssa Smithmyer, a meteorologist 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 106F (41.2 C), and the city stands a chance of nearing that mark again on Wednesday. Typically, daytime temperatures over 100 F (38 C) do not occur in Madrid until the last week of June or July."
She added: "Temperatures are expected to climb across southern and central France through at least Saturday. By Sunday, most residents across Western Europe will begin to feel some relief from the heat as daytime temperatures gradually drop closer to normal."
According to the Spanish meteological society, the "significant rise in temperatures" is being caused by warm air coming up from North Africa.
Spain has just endured the hottest May in more than 100 years, with the mercury staying above 40C for long stretches across the south and centre of the country.
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 suncream.
Aemet, the Spanish state’s meteorological agency, has issued orange weather warnings for a large stretch of the south and west of the country.
Holidaymakers heading to the Canaries or Balearics this summer are advised to stay in the shade as much as possible to avoid suffering heat exhaustion or heatstroke, and keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Heat exhaustion - which is the precursor to heatstroke and is the body’s response to overheating - is often caused by a loss of water and salt.
It can lead to headaches, dizziness and nausea and turn into heat exhaustion if the body is not cooled down.
In the days before summer officially begins on June 21, the temperature in many holiday hotspots favoured by Brits could rise even higher.
The potentially record breaking temperatures are being fuelled by global waming, with human-released emissions causing a green-house effect.
Graham Keely, The Times' Spain correspondent, has relayed fears that an eye watering 50C could be recorded this summer - breaking the current highest temperature record by 2.5C.
He told Pat Kenny on Newstalk: "Temperatures have already reached the early 40s in parts of southern Spain.
"What is alarming is that the forecasters here are saying we could see temperatures rising as high as 50C.
"What is exceptional about what is happening now is that it is happening before summer has even started officially. It starts officially on the 21st.
"So, this is the earliest heatwave for 40 years – since 1981. This is quite something."
