BRITS’ 118F HOL HELL
1 million are warned: Beware of Europe’s hottest day ever
BRITS have been warned a heatwave hitting holiday spots in Spain and Portugal could be a danger to health.
More than a million are expected in the Costas as temperatures top a record 118.4F (48C) this weekend. One expat in Spain said: “It’s very, very dangerous here.”
BRITS heading to the Costas are being warned to do as the locals do to protect themselves from the scorching sun as the heatwave grips south Europe.
With temperatures poised to hit 118.4F (48C), travel firms have urged tourists to stay in the shade, go easy on the booze, drink water and use lashings of suncream.
Children and the elderly could be particularly at risk from what could become Europe’s worst heatwave as it hits Spain and Portugal.
Britain, too, will be basking in more manageable sunshine and those staying at home could enjoy temperatures of 86F (30C).
But holiday body ABTA warned holidaymakers going to the Spanish coast of the dangers.
A spokesman said: “Don’t do the British thing by putting yourself in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day.
“Drink lots of water, at least two litres a day, apply sun cream and keep in the shade.”
“We would advise any tourists setting off to the Iberian Peninsula, or anywhere else this weekend where they may experience high temperatures, to watch the locals and in effect do as they do.
“If you must go to the beach, watch what they do. Go early and when it gets to midday leave, just like they will, and go and have a nice lunch in the shade.
“The reason they do this is because they know how powerful the sun can get in the hottest part of the day and they do everything they can to avoid it. If you have small children remember they are even more susceptible to the warm weather so make sure they are covered up and in the shade at all times.”
Head of Operations for Thomas Cook in Spain and Portugal, Dean Thomas, added: “Go easy on the sunbathing, stay in the shade and always use high factor protective sunscreen.
“Watch out for the signs of burning, heat exhaustion or sunstroke and always make sure you stay as hydrated as possible by
drinking lots of non-alcoholic fluids, especially bottled water.”
Over half of Spain’s 50 provinces have been declared an “extreme risk” as temperatures look set to soar from today and peak on Saturday.
More than a million Brits could be caught up in the Iberian heatwave.
That includes nearly 300,000 expats in Spain and almost 50,000 in Portugal.
There are around 140,000 British pensioners living on the peninsula.
Among them are Valerie and John Turner. The couple have a home on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Retired hairdresser Valerie, 74, said: “Summer came later this year but it was like a bombshell. First earthquakes and now this crazy heat.
“Now we’ve had warnings that it’s going to be 41 degrees this weekend.
“We’re used to the heat but when it gets that hot you have to be careful.
“The older I get the more the body doesn’t cope with it and you can get dizzy. But like the usual advice you have to make sure you drink lots of water and keep well out of the sun.”
Former journalist John, 77, added: “Many of our fruit trees are dying because of the heat. You learn how to cope with it but I worry about holidaymakers not taking precautions.
“Even though back in the UK there’s been a heatwave, people mustn’t forget it’s still very, very dangerous here.
“They climb off the aircraft in Alicante see the blue skies and run on to the beach.
“I don’t blame them but you have to be so careful.”
The worst of the heat will hit the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, close to the border between Spain and Portugal. Almost 11,000 firefighters and 56 aircraft are on standby there to tackle forest fires amid fears of blazes similar to those that swept across Greece last week killing at least 86 people.
The Iberian heatwave could match Europe’s worst which was at Athens in July 1977, where temperatures hit the forecast 48C.
Back in Britain, parts of southern England and Wales will enjoy 30C heat from tomorrow, the Met Office said.
It was also revealed last month was the third warmest July on record.
The mean average temperature was 17.2C, behind the 2006 record of 17.8C.
But thunderstorms and cooler days at the end of the month meant no nationwide records were broken.
Met Office National Climate Information Centre manager Dr Mark McCarthy said: “The UK experienced its hottest ever May this year, and its second hottest June.
“For a part of July it looked as if we’d see another record-breaking month, but lower temperatures in the North and West and the storms meant it was not the case.
“However, temperatures were well above average.”
People mustn’t forget it’s still very, very dangerous here. They run on to the beach… JOHN TURNER EXPAT ON PERILS OF HEATWAVE IN SPAIN