There is an ongoing heatwave in the European Union
Foreign Office changes Spain, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus travel advice with ‘everyone at risk’
The Foreign Office has issued fresh travel advice for Brits heading to Spain, Turkey, Greece and Cyprus as a heatwave sweeps across the European Union.
Northern Europe is currently sweltering under an early summer heat wave, according to weather experts.
Both England and the rest of the UK are feeling the effects, with temperatures soaring to 34C on Saturday. France’s national weather agency, Meteo France, issued a similar warning for the western and central parts of the country, cautioning that the high temperatures put “everyone at risk, even healthy people.”
Portugal recorded a sizzling 40.5 degrees last week, marking the country’s highest temperature this year, while several regions in Spain saw the mercury rise past 42 degrees. In Greece, minimum nighttime temperatures have stubbornly remained above 30, reports Birmingham Live..
On its website, the Foreign Office – or FCDO – has issued warnings about extreme heat in four countries. It states: “Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.
“Extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Turkey over the summer months. Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer.”
It adds: “The Department of Meteorology of Cyprus issues warnings for severe weather, especially during summer. Weather can sometimes cause travel disruption. “.
The FCDO advises: “Temperatures in some parts of Spain can change very quickly. Take extra care when planning a hike or walk. Check local weather reports for warnings of extreme heat or cold temperatures.
“Altitude sickness may be a risk in some of the higher mountain ranges in Spain, particularly in the regions of Granada, Huesca and Tenerife.”
Professor Bas Amelung, an environmental systems analysis expert at Wageningen University, warns that certain European destinations may become unbearably hot for tourists in the future. He said: “Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional ‘sun and sand’ summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer.
“People take decisions based on their perceptions,” he explains.
“So if a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be ‘too hot’, they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season.”