France has experienced its hottest day on record amid the brutal heatwave (Image: Getty)
New advice has been issued by the Foreign Office for Britons visiting three European nations gripped by a record-breaking heatwave. The Foreign Office is warning Brits of “extreme temperatures” in France, Spain and Portugal which have been among the countries most affected by the soaring temperatures.
The guidance was updated on Tuesday and encourages Brits to follow advice from local authorities. It came as France on Wednesday recorded its hottest-ever day for the second day in a row. The Meteo France weather agency said the country’s national thermal indicator — an average of temperatures measured at 30 weather stations — hit a new record of 30C, up from 29.8C the day before.
Man cools off in a water fountain near the Eiffel Tower in Paris (Image: Getty)
In some areas of France, including Paris, the temperature climbed above 40C.
In its travel advice for France, the Foreign Office says: “In summer months, there is a risk of higher than normal temperatures in France. Check current weather forecasts and read about how to protect yourself on the Meteo France website.
“Find advice on how to stay safe in hot weather from the National Health Service (NHS).
People call off in fountains in Madrid, Spain (Image: Getty)
“Check with your travel provider and follow advice from local authorities.”
Three-quarters of France is under a red alert for extreme heat from noon Thursday to noon Friday (local time).
Tens of thousands of homes in the west of the country have also been left without power.
Spain and Portugal have also been left sweltering under the “heat dome”.
During the heatwave, Spain has recorded its highest daily average June temperature (28.17C) since at least 1950.
The Foreign Office advice shared for Spain is similar to the one issued for France.
“Extreme weather can affect many parts of Spain, particularly over the summer months. Check warnings from the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and the European Meteorological Services,” the guidance reads.
“Find advice on how to stay safe in hot weather from the National Health Service (NHS).
“Follow guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Health for your area. You can sign up for email alerts (in Spanish).
“Check with your travel provider and follow advice from local authorities.”
While for Portugal, the advice states: “In summer months, there is a risk of higher than normal temperatures in Portugal. Check current weather forecasts and read about how to protect yourself on the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere website.
“Find advice on how to stay safe in hot weather from the National Health Service (NHS).
“Check with your travel provider and follow advice from local authorities.”
From Wednesday, temperatures in Portugal were expected to fall, although with the possibility of thunderstorms.
Italy has also been significantly affected by the heatwave, with 16 provincial capitals under red heat alerts.
Temperatures were predicted to climb toward 41C in Florence and 38C in Milan.
The Foreign Office has not updated its travel advice for Italy.
The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium are also all bracing for scorching temperatures in the days ahead, but no new Foreign Office advice has been issued as it stands.
On Wednesday, the UK recorded its hottest June day ever (36.1C).
