Western Europe is bracing for a "significant" heat event, with temperatures soaring 10 degrees Celsius hotter than average. France, Spain, and Portugal are among the countries at risk from this major heat event, which will send the mercury skyrocketing.
Temperatures Could Reach 38C in Spain
Temperatures could hit 30C (86F) on Friday and into next week, reaching 32C in Paris and 35C in south-west France. There could be highs of up to 38C in the Guadiana and Guadalquivir regions of Spain, according to forecasts.
"Both maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to reach unprecedented levels for the season in multiple regions, particularly the south-west, during a premature heat event that will be intense and last several days," said Météo-France.
Weather Warnings Across the Region
Weather warnings have been issued across Spain, France, and Portugal from Météo-France, AEMET (the Spanish equivalent of the Met Office), and the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera.
Météo-France noted that the temperatures expected in Brittany in particular were "quite remarkable so early in the pre-summer season." The agency warned that the European Union could expect such exceptional heat events "more and more often and more and more prematurely, and to be more and more intense."
"Full-on summer heat is the phrase that best describes the weather we'll see across most of Spain over the coming days," said AEMET spokesperson Rubén del Campo. "Temperatures will be between 5C and 10C above the seasonal average – and 10C above average for the time of year in northern regions. These are the kind of temperatures we normally see in July and August."
UK Also Set for Record Heat
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steve Kocher said: "Temperatures will climb through the weekend, especially in the south, where 30C is likely to be recorded on Saturday and 32C on Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday when we could see 33C recorded in southern England and the Midlands."
"It is likely that the May and Spring UK temperature records will be broken over the Bank Holiday weekend, with forecast temperatures surpassing the existing record of 32.8C."
As well as it being hot, there will be lots of dry and sunny weather for much of the UK. However, there will be more cloud and some showers in Northern Ireland and western Scotland through the weekend. With relatively low sea surface temperatures, there is also likely to be some low cloud and sea fog clinging closely to western coasts.
