Europe warned to brace for record breaking heatwave that could hit 48°C

Southern Europe has been warned to prepare for a record breaking 48°C heatwave.

The Met Office has said thousands of tourists should prepare for hot conditions affecting Southwestern Europe and Northwest Africa by the end of the week.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily are expected to reach 48°C.

Temperatures are also predicted to rise to 45°C in southern Spain and 44°C in Greece this week. 

Conditions will also rise to 42°C in Cyprus, 38°C in Croatia and France will be basking in 37°C heat by the end of this week.

But the Met Office have thankfully said the UK will be spared the extreme temperatures.

It is expected the extreme hot weather will last for two weeks.

Met Office spokesperson Grahame Madge said: ‘The heatwave conditions which are affecting parts of south west Europe and north west Africa are expected to extend eastward.

‘Much higher than average temperatures are also likely at times further north across Europe, but these will be shorter lived and less impactful.

‘Communities in the affected regions should expect health impacts and the potential for wildfires.’

The hot temperatures have been caused by an anticyclone weather system called Cerebus which moved northwards from the Sahara desert.

Many British tourists are struggling to handle the heat, with one woman seen collapsing in front of the Colosseum in Rome as temperatures topped 36°C.

Tourists were pictured resting beneath trees while others resorted to using their shirts as parasols to shield themselves from the sun.

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