The intense heat is being turned up another notch across Spain ahead of the official start of summer on June 21. Temperatures during the early part of this week topped three figures in Madrid for three consecutive days and these stifling highs are set to be repeated up until the weekend.
Forecaster Accuweather reports Spain's meteorological agency has confirmed it's the earliest such heatwave since 1981. The agency has issued weather warnings across the country throughout the week, highlighting the severity of the high temperatures.
Tourists have been warned to be aware of heat hazards and there are weather warnings issued for many holiday resorts. 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.
The excessive heat has been blamed on a jet-stream abnormality across the Iberian Peninsula that is pulling in hot air from northern Africa with hazy skies and reduced air quality.
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."
Temperatures are forecast to peak in the mid to upper 90s F (34-37 C) by the end of the week in the coastal city of Valencia. Highs are predicted to near 39C on the holiday island of Majorca by Saturday. High temperatures are also likely to sweep across much of France by the middle of this week.
The Accuweather forecaster 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."
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
