12 July 2023 , 20:23
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Weather maps show large swathes of red - temperatures regarded as dangerous - across most of Southern Europe over the next few days.
Temperatures may this week peak at a fierce 45C in parts of Spain, Greece and Italy, and in the latter at least three people have already died due to the heat. The heatwave - dubbed "Cerberus" - will see temperatures 10-15C higher than average for the time of year across much of the continent.
And in Prague, Czech Republic, where temperatures barely exceed 24C in June, the mercury is expected to hit a sweltering 34C by the weekend. North Africa is also set to suffer from extreme heat, where temperatures are forecast to reach 50C.
Tourists are pictured at the Roman Colosseum as temperatures reached 40C in Italy today (Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)Met Office has already lamented climate change in a stinging analysis of how hot it became in the UK alone last month. Now, responding to the forecast for most of Europe, Met Office has warned of "health impacts and the potential for wildfires".
Grahame Madge, spokesman for the service, said: "The heatwave conditions which are affecting parts of southwest Europe and northwest Africa are expected to extend eastward eventually reaching the Middle East later in the week.
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
"Communities in the affected regions should expect health impacts and the potential for wildfires."
A 44-year-old man collapsed while painting a zebra crossing in Milan, Italy, at 40C this week. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. Two brothers, aged six and seven, died after they jumped into a reservoir in Manfredonia in southern Italy, to cool down.
The country's forecaster Meteo predicts Sardinia and Sicily will experience the hottest temperatures of at least 45C this week. Other cities, such as Rome, Florence, and Bologna, are set to follow with the temperature hitting 40C.
It was 38C in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. Forecasters believe temperatures will linger around - or even reach - 40C most days in and around the city for the next week.
The highest recorded temperature in Italy - and Europe - was a scorching 48.8C in Sicily in August 2021.
The UK will escape the dangerous temperatures, though, as unsettled weather is forecast here for the rest of the week. Thundery showers are reportedly on their way tonight and into tomorrow.
Most of the country, but particularly Northwest England, will see downpours return on as rather gloomy July weekend.