Forecasters predict temperatures of up to 48C later this week, which would be the hottest temperature ever recorded in mainland Europe.The current European record is 48C (118.4F) set in Athens in July 1977.
BBC Weather says the current forecast for southwestern Spain and southern and southeastern Portugal is 47C (116.6F) on both Friday and Saturday.Portugal’s national record is 47.4C. Spain’s peak of 47.3C (117.1F) was only set in July last year. In the UK, temperatures are expected to reach about 33C (91.4F).Spain’s national weather service has put a warning in place until at least Sunday, saying the heatwave will be “especially intense and lasting in the southwest”.Italy has also issued red alerts across its centre and north, which includes the tourist hotspots of Rome, Florence and Venice…

Meteogroup said there was a 40% chance of equalling the 48C record from Athens – and “a 25-30% chance that we will break the European temperature record”.