Spain’s General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies said the risk of forest fires will be “very high/extreme in large areas”
Spain has been forced to issue an “extreme” warning with millions of UK tourists urged to be careful. The European Union holiday hotspot has warned people in Spain over the rising temperatures amid a continent-wide heatwave.
Spain’s General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies said the risk of forest fires will be “very high/extreme in large areas”, and urged people to “BE VERY CAREFUL!”
The heat is affecting all of Spain intensely this week, with temperatures above normal for this time of year. But AEMET has announced that this weekend several regions will be on alert for rain and storms, especially on Sunday.
READ MORE Lanzarote forced to declare ’emergency’ with UK tourists warned
The rainfall will be particularly heavy due to the “approach of a weather system from the Atlantic”, AEMET – which is the Spanish version of the Met Office – said.
For this Friday, 20 June, the Aemet has put nine regions communities under a warning for “locally strong thunderstorms and showers”. These are Andalucía, Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Galicia, Murcia, La Rioja and Valencia.
Storms and rain will continue over the weekend. They will be “locally heavy in inland areas of the eastern third and in the extreme north of the peninsula” on Saturday.
And AEMET warns of the “approach of a weather system from the Atlantic” on Sunday. This will “favour an increase in instability”, it says.
Spain’s Minister of the Interior warned: “Limit your sun exposure. Eat light meals. Stay hydrated. Dress appropriately. Do not leave children or elderly people inside vehicles.”
AEMET said: “Although there will be a drop in temperature in the far north and areas of the western and central parts of the Peninsula, this drop in temperature will not reach the eastern third and the Balearic Islands until Thursday, and will not be as pronounced.
“Furthermore, from that day on, the heat will return to a very warm end to the week.”