Foreign Office issues 'red alert' for UK tourists as record-breaking heatwave hits Europe

UK holidaymakers in Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Spain have been issued with a "red alert" warning. Brits travelling to these popular European Union destinations are being urged to be cautious and take necessary precautions due to soaring temperatures.

The advice for British tourists about "record-breaking temperatures" in Europe this summer comes as Cyprus declares a RED weather alert. Extreme weather conditions have also been experienced in Majorca and Austria, amidst the peak summer getaway season, reports WalesOnline.

The unusual heatwave is attributed to southerly winds carrying heat and dust from North Africa. Speaking to Greek state television channel, ERT, meteorologist Panos Giannopoulos said: "This heatwave will go down in history."

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The Foreign Office has "updated" its travel advice for these countries. Panos added: "In the 20th century, we never had a heatwave before June 19. We've had several in the 21st century, but none before June 15."

In Turkey, temperatures have reached the mid-30s, while in Greece, they have soared to an incredible 45C. The imminent Summer Olympic Games in Paris are being met with caution, as the report 'Rings of Fire: Heat Risks at the 2024 Paris Olympics' highlights grave concerns over potentially harmful temperatures.

"The fact that the Olympics will take place during high summer means that the threat of a devastating hot spell is a very real one." British rugby sevens athlete Jamie Farndale expressed concern over the intense climate conditions expected: "What we do is push ourselves to our limits, and if we have to do so in conditions that are unsafe I don't think the athlete would hold back."

Rosie Mammatt, a meteorologist from the University of Reading, shared insights on unprecedented weather patterns with The Telegraph: "We are already seeing very hot temperatures in the Mediterranean basin, and it looks like the summer could provide some more record-breaking temperatures."

She added context on the ongoing weather developments impacting seasonal forecasts: "Sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic have been extremely high for a significant period of time, which has been influencing the weather we are getting. This will continue to affect temperatures and precipitation over Europe this summer."

Meanwhile, in Majorca, the Balearic Islands have been grappling with severe flooding in recent days, causing airport chaos. The storm brought all operations to a standstill at Son Sant Joan airport, Spain's third-largest, due to the "impossibility of operating safely", according to a statement by operator Aena AENA. MC.