Irish holidaymakers in Spain, Portugal and France are being warned that temperatures could soar to46C as a dangerous heatwave continues to cause abnormally hot weather.
Tourists are being urged to take caution as the mercury continues to climb in popular destinations , with authorities also battling wildfires caused by the blistering heat. Spain's State Meteorological Agency AEMET issued red alerts for ten regions including Badajoz where temperatures could reach 46C this weekend.
The majority of the country including holiday hot spot Mallorca is also under orange and yellow alerts. AEMET said: "Very high temperatures in most of the Peninsula and Mallorca."
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Spain
Irish holidaymakers heading to Spain are being warned that temperatures will heat up this weekend, with the Copernicus Emergency Management Service saying that wildfires are likely to be the most severe in the Andalucia and Extremadura regions as red alert weather warnings come into effect. According to Spanish weather agency AEMET, much of mainland Spain will exceed 40C this weekend.
Communities like Andalucía, Aragon, Catalonia, Galicia, and Madrid have dropped to an orange warning. Meanwhile, the Austurias, Baleric Islands, and the Valencian community will be under a yellow warning for heat.
On Saturday, temperatures are expected to hit 36C to 38C in the Balearic Islands and the majority of inland areas, while temperatures will exceed 40C in southwest regions such as the Ebro and Duero valley areas of Cantabria. Meanwhile, Sunday will see temperatures rise as high as 41C for Madrid and Barcelona.
According to AEMET, by Monday it is expected that it will "continue to be quite hot" without reaching red weather alert heights. It will be hottest in the east of the country in Malaga, Albacente, Cuenca, and Huelva.
Spain’s health ministry has issued a caution to tourists and locals about the ‘intense heat’ that could affect people’s ‘vital functions’ and risk heat stroke. It advised that people drink water frequently, but not ice-cold water, wear light clothing, and stay in the shade or air-conditioned places for ‘as long as possible.’
Nighttime in Spain is also quite warm, with temperatures remaining around 25C through the night.
Portugal
Tourists in Portugal have been warned to be careful due to increasing temperatures that can cause wildfires to spark and spread across the Iberic country. At present, thermometers across several spots in Portugal show soaring temperatures over 40 degrees.
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According to the authorities, non-compliance with restrictions could lead to prosecution of tourists. “Mainland Portugal is in a state of contingency until midnight on July 15 due to exceptionally high temperatures and a heightened risk of forest fires,” the warning from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office reads.
The current measures in Portugal include a ban on walking through or remaining in woodland areas, such as forest, woodland, and rural trails, in addition to burning gardens or other agricultural remains and clearing agricultural land by burning. Using garden and farm machinery in the woodland areas and nearby is also forbidden, as well as lighting fireworks.
France
There are now 11 departments under an orange heatwave alert as temperatures approach 40 degrees this weekend in some areas of southwest France. Gard, Vaucluse, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Pyrénées-Orientales have now joined Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, Haute-Garonne, Tarn, Ardèche and Drôme on the second-highest alert level.
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Some 30 departments surrounding the areas on orange alert are also under yellow warnings. Temperatures have risen to 39-40C in the southwest and the Rhône valley and 33-35C in central France.
The weather was set to cool slightly in more northern regions, with temperatures of 23-29C in the north and northwest and 31-33C in Ile-de-France. However, this will not last long as a temperature peak is expected on Sunday.
Read next:
- Spanish hospital welcomes Irish patients on long waiting lists
- Covid-19 travel rules: What to do if you test positive while on holiday abroad this summer?
- Irish tourists in Spain hit with urgent wildfire warning as temperatures soar to 44c
- Dublin weather: 'Hot plume' could send temperatures soaring to 29C this weekend
- Paw-fect bargain heatwave dog swimming pool available in Dealz
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