Spain 'red alert' warning as people warned of 'extreme risk'

People who are currently in or planning to soon travel to Spain have been issued a "red alert" warning. The European country has long been the favourite for Brits heading abroad, with millions from the UK making the trip each year alone.

Spain is popular due to its stunning coastlines, delicious cuisine, and its warmer weather. And while the heat is what attracts many Brits, some parts of the country are experiencing extreme temperatures, among other conditions.

A new alert from Spain's national weather agency, AEMET, on Monday warns people they may need to take precautions.

The post on X, formerly Twitter, reads: "Active warnings today and tomorrow in Spain for maximum temperatures, storms, rain, and suspended dust. Maximum warning level: red."

Temperatures are set to reach up to 42C in parts of Spain over the coming days. The heatwave, AEMET says, is predicted to last until Wednesday, August 13.

The Spanish peninsula and Canary Islands, except the Cantabrian area, are set to be most affected. AEMET explains the heat is due to "the persistence of a warm, dry air mass" over much of these areas.

The weather agency adds: "This, combined with the high level of sunshine typical of summer, is causing temperatures to be higher than usual for this time of year, resulting in a heat wave.

"[Today, Monday] temperatures are expected to rise further in the Ebro basin, the southern and eastern thirds of the Iberian Peninsula, and the eastern Cantabrian Sea. Temperatures will begin to fall in the northwest, most noticeably in Galicia.

"Temperatures will therefore continue to reach 37-39C across the interior of the Iberian Peninsula, also extending to the Júcar and Segura regions and the interior of the Basque Country, where temperatures could even exceed 40C locally.

"In the lower Guadalquivir, highs could reach over 42C, and although with low probability, this threshold could also be exceeded in the Ebro Valley and the northeastern depressions, where this day is expected to be the hottest of the episode."

There will likely be "slight to moderate drops in maximum temperatures" across the peninsula from Wednesday, "however, due to the very high temperatures reached in recent days, the heat wave criteria could still be met".