Temperatures are soaring across continental Europe, with high pressure building from the south contributing to exceptionally high readings.
Spain has been particularly affected, with some locations exceeding 40C this week. On Thursday, the southern Spanish city of Huelva recorded its hottest day of 2026, reaching a blistering 45.7C. Forecasters predict that the hottest areas in Spain will continue to see temperatures above 40C through the weekend and into early next week, even in typically cooler regions like the Erbo valley.
Southern France is also experiencing significant heat, with areas such as the Ardeche region forecast to experience temperatures in the high 30s for the next few days, with local temperatures potentially reaching 40C. While some parts of the UK may see a brief return to summer-like conditions with temperatures approaching 28C on Sunday, this warmth is expected to be short-lived.
The extreme heat in Europe contrasts with conditions in other parts of the world, where varying weather patterns are in effect. The intense heat on the continent is a notable meteorological event, with implications for public health and daily life.