Meteorologists are warning temperatures will hit new record highs across southern Europe this week.

The latest forecasts show peaks of 44C (111F) on multiple days, with temperatures consistently in the high 30s and low 40s across the region.

The European Space Agency has warned countries including Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland will face extreme heat this week.

A new anticyclone, named Charon after the Greek mythological boatman who ferries souls to the underworld, is behind the heatwave.

So, what’s going on where you are heading on holiday?

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Spain

Heatwaves in Spain are set to intensify today, with temperatures predicted to reach 44C in the Guadalquivir valley near Seville.

It comes as wildfires continue to burn out of control on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma.

More than 4,000 residents were forced to flee their homes on Saturday.

The fire has affected more than 4,600 hectares (11,300 acres) of forest in the north of the island.

More than 300 firefighters, nine water-carrying helicopters and two planes are being used to try to extinguish the blaze.

Spain’s Aemet weather agency said the heatwave this week “will affect a large part of the countries bordering the Mediterranean”.

The agency says it expects temperatures to drop sometime on Wednesday.

Read more:
British holidaymakers are changing their plans as temperatures surge

Italy

Hot weather alerts have been issued for at least 16 cities in Italy as the country braces for record temperatures.

Highs of 45C (113F) have been predicted.

The alerts are in place for major tourist destinations including Rome, Florence and Bologna as well as Palermo in Sicily and Bari in the southeast of the peninsula.

Italy’s health minister Orazio Schillaci urged people to take care when visiting tourist hotspots including Rome’s famous ruins.

“Going to the Colosseum when it is 43C (109.4F) is not advisable, especially for an elderly person,” he told Il Messaggero newspaper, saying people should stay under cover and avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm.

Meteorologists have said Europe’s highest recorded temperature of 48.8C (119.8F), registered in Sicily two years ago, could be exceeded in the coming days on the Italian island of Sardinia.

Power outages were hitting parts of Rome as electric grids struggled due to heavier demand from air conditioners.

Greece

Temperatures in Greece are predicted to keep rising this week before hitting highs of 43C (109F) in Athens on Saturday.

Authorities have issued precautionary evacuation orders in several seaside areas south of the capital due to a mountain wildfire.

Water dropping helicopters have been deployed to the area, which is 25 miles (40km) southeast of Athens.

The fire service has also reported a second large wildfire in a wooded area near the resort town of Loutraki.

The country’s weather agency, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, says the heat won’t change too dramatically before Wednesday, with highs of 39C (102F) in the east and 41C (106F) in the west.

It predicts that from Thursday a new heatwave will be felt in most areas of the country, with minimum temperatures reaching up to 43C (109F) on the mainland, 41C (106F) on the Ionian islands and 38C (100F) on the Aegean islands.

Tours of the Acropolis monuments have resumed normal opening hours after closing for three days during the hottest part of the day over the weekend.

The UK

While Europe is sweltering, forecasters say there is a low chance of the UK having a heatwave this summer, with the country not seeing any hot summer weather until mid-August.

France

Extreme temperatures are not expected in most of France according to the national forecaster Meteo France.

An orange weather warning, the second highest alert, has been issued for some areas along the Mediterranean coast.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 34-36C around Marseille by Wednesday.

Poland

Storm warnings are in place across southern Poland.

Near Krakow, forecasters predict severe thunder and lightening as well as winds of up to 55mph (90km) and 2 inches (50mm) of rain.

Temperatures are set to peak at 26C (79F) on Wednesday following highs of 35C (95F) last week.

Germany

Forecasters predict temperatures will also rise slightly in Germany.

Highs of 25C (77F) are expected while yellow weather warnings are in place in some regions due to wind gusts.

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