IRISH holidaymakers heading for Spain are being warned of sizzling temperatures and thunderstorms set to blast the country.
Temperatures soared as high as 46.6C across Europe last week as a blistering heatwave shut schools and workplaces and recorded multiple deaths last week.
A number of holiday hotspots in Spain are expecting severely high temperatures of 40C this week, while other areas will be hit with thunderstorms.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, has warnings in place for a number of popular holiday spots including Seville, Alicante, Mallorca, Madrid and Girona.
A “severe high-temperature warning” has been issued for Seville, the Córdoba Countryside, Guadalquivir, Morena and Condada.
Weather chiefs at meteoalarm said: “Be prepared. Take precautions and keep up to date with the latest weather forecast.
“Severe damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas.”
The mercury is expected to reach a scorching 40C.
A “moderate high-temperature warning” is in place in Valle del Tajo, with temperatures hitting 38C.
Meteoalarm said: “Be aware, keep up to date with the latest weather forecast.
“Moderate damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas.
Thunderstorms with 20mm rain expected to accumulate in one hour are set to hit other areas today.
This means that Irish jetsetters hoping to escape to the sun might find themselves disappointed.
The thunderstorm alert has been issued for Mallorca, Alicante, Valencia, Tarragona and the Barcelona coastline.
Jetsetters are advised to take caution in severe weather, especially with the extreme heat, and follow the authority guidelines.
Using sunscreen with a factor of 30 or higher is recommended.
And ensure to reapply it every two hours and after swimming at the beach or pool.
IRELAND HEAT SPELL
Meanwhile, a number of weather alerts have been issued for parts of Portugal with temperatures reaching 38C.
A yellow high-temperature warning has been issued for Sardinia, Italy.
In Greece, an “orange max temperature” alert is in place with a “yellow high-temperature” warning issued for other areas.
Here in Ireland, Met Eireann has confirmed that temperatures could hit a sizzling 28C in just a few days.
Cathal Nolan from Ireland’s Weather Channel warned people to brace for the “hottest spell of weather since 2022” as Met Eireann confirmed temperatures will skyrocket this week.
Nolan said warm temperatures will return with isolated light showers in some parts of the country this week, starting from today.
