THIS HEAT WILL KILL YOU
HOL BRITS FACE 48C
THOUSANDS of British holidaymakers are being warned that an extreme new heatwave gripping Spain and Portugal could be a killer.
Temperatures will hit a record 48C (118F) from today with packed resorts along the costas only a few degrees cooler, say forecasters.
And at least some of the heat is heading our way.
HUNDREDS of thousands of Brits are facing a 48C holiday hell heatwave in Spain and Portugal as experts warn it will kill people.
Surging temperatures in the next few days threaten the hottest European day ever as UK visitors swelter in blistering heat.
The scorcher comes after a Japanese heatwave killed 65 people within seven days last month when the mercury tipped 41C.
Tourists jetting off to Spain and Portugal were warned their annual getaways would not be the same as previous visits.
They were ordered to stay out of the Sun, avoid splashing in the pool for too long and told not to guzzle too much booze.
Heatwave expert Professor Glenn McGregor, of the University of Durham, urged British holidaymakers to heed warnings and said overheating “can lead to brain damage and worst case death”.
He said: “The very young are especially vulnerable or even those playing football or other beach games.
“If kids are in the pool to cool off they should definitely wear a hat but not stay out for long because of the UV and the heat.”
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He added that “drinking alcohol is not recommended” as it “impairs clear thinking” and the “ability to assess dangerous situations related to extreme weather”.
Dr Mark McCarthy, manager of the National Climate Information Centre, warned Europe would see “very extreme temperatures in the 40s later this week”.
Spain is Britain’s favourite sun spot, with a record 18million British tourists holidaying there last year and another 6.5m visiting Portugal.
And almost 300,000 British expats live in the country, many of them retired and vulnerable to the fiery heat.
Dr Emer O’Connell, a Public Health England consultant, said: “When we go on holiday we often behave very differently to how we might at home. Hot weather puts a greater strain on our bodies so when we’re in warmer climates we should consider the impact the weather may have on us and change our behaviour accordingly.”
Bookies last night slashed the odds to 3-1 that the thermometer would spike at 50C. Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said: “Mother Nature is genuinely sizzling all over Europe right now.
“And it is not out of the realms of possibility that the mercury will nudge past a humongous 50C.”
The Spanish scorcher will spread to the UK later this week and is expected to hit the whole country this time.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “We are going to see a return to the hot weather.
“We expect temperatures back into the low 30Cs by Friday. The difference this time round is where previously the hottest conditions were in the south-east, the heat will be more widespread reaching south-western and central Britain.
“Even in the far north temperatures will be higher than average for the time of year.”
French authorities last night issued a heatwave warning for the south-east which is likely to spread to the rest of the country in the next few days.
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