While the UK has been going through a rather wet and mild summer, temperatures are well above average across some of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, reaching as high as the low 40s over the coming days.
Many holidaymakers will soon be heading to cities and coastlines around Europe that will feel hotter than they normally would, even in the peak of summer.
Parts of Greece are teetering on the edge of 40C, for example, while a popular tourist spot in Egypt is expecting temperatures more than 10 degrees above its daily maximum average.
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Meanwhile, Europe’s early warning system MeteoAlarm has issued rare red high-temperature warnings across southern Italy, the entire Croatian coastline and large swathes of the Balkans.
If you’re among those jetting off this week, the weather forecasts are clear – you’re going to need some strong sunblock and to drink plenty of water.
Here’s a look at what to expect around some of Britain’s favourite holiday destinations.
France
With the Olympics kicking off next Friday, some tourists may be heading to Paris early to soak in the atmosphere.
There’ll be some strong sunshine to soak up as well, as the mercury reaches 34C on Friday and Saturday – well above the 24.6C July daily maximum average of 24.1C.
As Paris cools down from Sunday to 26C and starts next week at 25C, it will remain hot further south in Nice, where it’s forecast to be 32C into next week, after a weekend of heat up to 34C.
According to the Met Office, the average daily maximum temperature in Nice for this time of year is 27.4C.
Spain
The usual Spanish island destinations are slightly hotter than average, with Tenerife baking in 32C on Thursday, 34C on Friday and Saturday and 32C over Sunday and Monday.
The most intense heat appears to be reserved for the Spanish mainland, with Seville forecast to experience highs of 41C on Friday, 39C on Saturday and 40C again next Tuesday.
Even for one of the hottest cities in Europe, that’s at least a couple of degrees above the Met Office’s recorded daily average maximum temperature.
In Malaga, home to the popular Costa del Sol, 34C on Thursday turns into 38C on Friday, before climbing to 41C on Saturday and Sunday.
Italy
As mentioned already, there is a rare heat warning in place for southern Italy.
In Sicily, highs of 36C and 37C are forecast from Thursday to Saturday, with 38C expected on Sunday.
But it could feel much warmer. In Palermo, for example, the Met Office warns it could feel as hot as 44C.
That’s because the humidity could make people feel hotter than the recorded air temperature.
Cooling down at the Spanish Steps in Rome. Pic: Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP
Rome has been especially hot lately and the Met Office forecast doesn’t suggest much respite is on its way – with 38C expected on Thursday and Friday and 37C on Saturday.
That’s easily higher than the daily average maximum temperature of 29.3C.
Greece
In Crete, meteorologists predict highs of 34C on Thursday and Friday, before gradually climbing to 36C on Sunday.
It’s even hotter in Corfu, according to the Met Office, with highs of 40C on Friday and 39C on Saturday. The average daily maximum there is 32C in July.
The Met Office forecasts 38C in Athens from Thursday to Saturday, cooling only slightly to 35C by Tuesday.
Two women look over the Acropolis from Aeropagous hill, in Athens. Pic: AP
What about other places?
Cyprus
The Department of Meteorology recently announced 42 weather stations in the country (out of 52) saw a record high temperature for June.
High temperatures have not relented on the island, with highs of 39C in Larnaca on Thursday and Friday and 38C on the following three days.
Portugal
Lisbon is particularly warm over Thursday and Friday, with highs of 33C expected, but it will cool down slightly on Saturday at 27C, before warming up again to 33C on Tuesday.
Further south in the Algarve region, the Met Office forecasts 33C and 35C over Thursday and Friday, 30C on Saturday and 32C on Sunday.
Croatia
The heat warning covers the entire coastline in Croatia. Dubrovnik, for example, could hit 37C on Thursday and 36C on Friday.
It will then stay between 32-34C from Saturday to Tuesday.
Hungary
Those looking for a city break in Budapest can expect temperatures in the low 30s over the next week, which is three or four degrees warmer than average.
Egypt
Thee Great Pyramids, Giza. File pic: Reuters
In Sharm el Sheikh, the Met Office forecasts scorching temperatures of 42C and 43C from Thursday to Tuesday – well above the daily maximum average of 31.1C.
It could feel as hot as 50C.
Morocco
It’s just as hot in Marrakech, with temperatures forecast to remain above 40C every day between Thursday and Tuesday – except for 39C on Sunday – and a peak of 44C on Tuesday.
What about the UK?
After a wet start to July with above-average rainfall figures, parts of the country can expect a mini-heatwave ahead.
Temperatures around southern parts of the UK could peak around 30C on Friday and Saturday.
Read more:
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But any heat won’t last long, with cooler conditions expected on Sunday.
Sky weather producer Jo Robinson said: “England and Wales will see temperatures rise, potentially reaching a high of 30C (86F) in the South East on Friday and Saturday, although some computer models suggest the high 20s.
“It’ll be warm at night too, with the chance of tropical nights in southeast England – that happens when the air temperature doesn’t fall below 20C (68F).”