Europe could have a new record highest temperature as a blistering heatwave spreads over the continent

Well, for anyone who's on their holidays

While the forecast suggests that it's going to be a sunny bank holiday weekend in Ireland, it looks like it's going to be significantly more uncomfortable across Europe in the days ahead. The Weather Channel are reporting that temperatures are expected to soar to record-breaking levels in parts of Europe with the mercury rising into the high 40s C. At present, the all-time continental European record is 48C, recorded in Athens, Greece, in July 1977 but that could be topped in the coming days. As stated by BBC Weather presenter Barra Best, areas in south-west Spain and south-east Portugal could see Europe's highest ever recorded temperature. https://twitter.com/barrabest/status/1024979098676985856 At present, Spain’s current record temperature is 47.3C and Portugal has previously seen highs of 47.4C. Elsewhere, large areas of Iberia, France and the Mediterranean are expected to experience these sweltering conditions with temperatures expected to reach the high 30sC in many places and over 40C locally. The conditions are so extreme in Spain that their government has issued its first extreme weather warning of the summer. Holidaymakers in Spain are also being advised to stay inside during the hottest parts of the day and to stay hydrated. These sweltering conditions are being caused by hot and dry air that's originating off Algeria and Morocco. This front is pushing northward to the west of Portugal before steering north-to-south. This extremely hot and dry wind is known as a Terral wind in Spain.