The sizzling conditions have swept across many popular British family holiday hotspots
Guidance has been issued to Brits travelling to parts of Europe amid the Cerberus heatwave, that has brought soaring temperatures of over 40C.
The sizzling conditions have swept across southern Europe, across many popular British family holiday hotspots in the Mediterranean, such as in Spain, Italy and Greece.
Much of southern Europe has been in the high 30s, while some parts of southern Italy and areas in Greece have been in the low-to-mid 40s, which is eight to 12 degrees above the seasonal average for the region.
However it has caused health issues, leading to a strain on local medical services during a busy tourist period. Fifteen cities in Italy, most of them in the country’s centre and south, were under heat advisories due to a high level of risk for older adults, children and other vulnerable people.
More than 2,000 people have been evacuated as a wildfire raged on La Palma in the Canary Islands, while authorities in Greece opened air-conditioned areas in public buildings.
Forecasters say in the coming days parts of Italy and Greece could push the 48.8C recorded in Syracuse, Sicily in August 2021, the highest temperature ever recorded in Europe.
The hot weather is set to continue for at least another week, especially in Greece and parts of Turkey. It will ease slightly in countries across western Europe, such as Spain and Portugal in the next few days, the Met Office said.
Britons have been advised to stay hydrated, apply sun cream and avoid being in the sun at midday while on holiday. The Foreign Office recommended people check travel advice on its website.
Forecaster Simon Partridge said: “It’s a massive shock to the system when you’re there, so give yourself a chance to get used to the heat.”
Source: Manchester Evening News