BRITISH holidaymakers have been issued an urgent weather warning for nearly an entire country.
The summer heatwaves in Europe have seen wildfires sweep across Greece and Tenerife as temperatures soar above 40C.
AlamyTourists have been issued an urgent weather warning for a popular holiday hotspot[/caption]
SolarpixOne of Portugal’s top rural hotels has already been gutted by the wildfires ravaging the country[/caption]
And now Brits have been warned about visiting Portugal, with almost the whole country issued a ‘maximum fire risk’ in the coming days.
Weather experts at the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) have released a map showing swathes of the country under red and black “rural fire” risks.
Wednesday – when temperatures across the country are set to exceed 40C – has the most “black” territories at maximum risk of wildfires.
Popular holiday resorts in the Algarve are also located in “maximum” risk areas for this week, according to IPMA.
A combination of strong wind, low humidity, and intense heat are the main factors that determine the level of danger.
And authorities have asked the population to remain vigilant and act sensibly, Sicnoticias reported.
Weather experts have declared 2023 an El Niño year – a natural phenomenon that occurs cyclically and causes fluctuations in the global climate.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization said it will raise temperatures around the world, and the effect is likely to continue for the rest of the year.
More than six thousand rural fires have been registered in Portugal so far this year, burning around 27 thousand hectares.
And things are looking just as bad on the other side of the border, following Spain’s ‘special notice’ for rising heat until the middle of the week.
Brits abroad have been warned of 42C temperatures in the Valle del Guadalhorce between Malaga and Marbella, and told to stay inside.
UK Foreign Office officials continue to warn Brits travelling on their holidays over the heat in Spain.
EPAFirefighters have already been put to the test with wildfires this summer[/caption]
AFPAircraft carrying water have been called in to put out the fires[/caption]