Holidaymakers planning trips to Portugal, Spain, and France are being cautioned to monitor weather forecasts closely as a significant early-summer heatwave is expected to sweep across Western Europe. Meteorologists have highlighted the possibility of temperatures reaching 45°C in some inland regions in extreme scenarios.
The UK Met Office has confirmed the imminent arrival of a ‘European heatwave’ affecting a large part of Western Europe. Temperatures are projected to surge starting from Wednesday, June 17, with the peak of the heatwave anticipated between June 22 and June 26.
According to meteorologist Aidan McGivern in a recent Met Office Deep Dive video, temperatures are set to soar, with around 40 degrees expected in parts of Spain, France, and Italy, well exceeding the average for mid-June.
Coastal areas are likely to experience milder temperatures due to the moderating effect of the sea, unlike inland areas that are more prone to extreme heat. The Met Office also emphasized the unusual nature of these high temperatures for this time of year, with temperatures expected to be 10 degrees above average across Spain and into France.
Weather forecast charts from the Met Office indicate temperatures could reach up to 40°C, although forecasters suggest that these models might underestimate the highest temperatures in hotspots. Reports from Portuguese news sources indicate the likelihood of a severe heatwave with temperatures exceeding 40°C across Portugal and potentially reaching 45°C in inland areas.
Weather models are indicating the formation of a powerful ‘heat dome’ over Western Europe, fueling concerns that this upcoming heatwave could be more intense and prolonged compared to the previous hot spell from late May to early June.
Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, has issued high-temperature warnings for various regions, with temperatures forecasted to reach 38°C in parts of Seville and 36°C in Barcelona, Tarragona, and Madrid.
Forecasts suggest temperatures in Spain could surpass 40°C next week, with warnings from AEMET that some areas might experience the hottest conditions seen this year.
In France, Météo-France predicts very high temperatures and ‘tropical nights’ where temperatures may not drop below 25°C. High temperatures ranging from 34°C to 38°C are expected across France from Thursday to Sunday, with peaks of 40°C anticipated in certain regions on Sunday, June 21, due to warm air influx from North Africa.
Météo-France climatologist Matthieu Sorel noted that this heatwave is one of the earliest on record.
