It is not just the UK experiencing the hot weather in recent weeks, as droughts and forest fires have hit Spain and Portugal with the scorching heat spreading to France. Temperatures are set to peak on Thursday on the continent with forecasters warning it get at high as 46°C in parts of Portugal.
BBC Weather says that the current heatwave across Europe is "possibly the most sustained period of very hot weather in the area for 50 years".
Level 3 heat alerts, the highest level possible, are in place for 14 states within Portugal and in eastern Spain through the end of the week, and authorities have cancelled traditional fireworks displays on France's national day on July 14 to reduce the risk of fires.
