Irish holidaymakers heading away in the coming days have been warned to exercise extreme caution as some of the country's most loved destinations are set to sizzle in unbearable heat.
Hotspots such as Spain and Portugal are predicted to hit a whopping 43C this week.
Portugal has declared a state of emergency to remain in place for the next eight days, and restrictions have been put in place to keep people safe in the searing heat.
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The rising temperatures could cause further problems for the popular tourist location as it is already experiencing a drought.
Authorities now fear that the hot weather could result in wildfires affecting a third of the country.
Interior Minister José Luis Carneiro said: "The government will issue a warning statement aimed at limiting any activity that could put populations in danger."
A ban has been placed on access to forests at risk and fireworks at summer festivals.
Portugal's Civil Protection Agency said emergency services have also been placed on high alert.
Neighbouring Spanish islands have also been issued warnings about the dangerous temperatures.
Health chiefs in the Canaries have issued an urgent alert as the temperature across the islands is set to soar into the mid-30s and more.
They are urging holidaymakers to be extra careful in the sun and not to risk heat stroke or severe sunburn.
The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands has activated health risk notices between July 9 and 11 in different municipalities of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and La Palma.
The news comes as Ireland is set to bask in glorious sunshine over the coming days as temperatures climb as high as 25C in places.
However, forecasters have warned that a "very hot" band of air is at risk of pushing into England and Wales on July 17.
The scalding air could see temperatures reach 43C in the Southeast of England.
Weather models have shown a risk of very hot air pushing into England and Wales around July 17. However, there is huge uncertainty around it.
In a "worst case scenario", up to 43c for Southeast England could be seen, and Ireland could catch the edge of it, but temperatures would unlikely reach as extreme temperatures.
Met Office forecaster Steven Keates warned that the warmest weather is still to come, telling The Sun : "We're in for a real rollercoaster which may take people by surprise.
"Next weekend we could have some really exceptional record-breaking heat and it will ramp up suddenly - like someone has turned on the gas.
"Some models from America indicate we could see 43C in East Anglia next Sunday, which would obliterate the current UK record."
Thankfully conditions should remain bearable in Ireland for the beginning of next week, but they will take a dip on Wednesday.
A forecaster said: "Latest animation of upper air temperatures forecast by GFS weather model. You can see cooler air moving briefly on Wednesday before warming up again."
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