Foreign Office issues new update for Brits visiting 3 countries | World | News
France experiences hottest day in history amid severe heatwave (Image: Getty)
The Foreign Office has issued new advice for Britons visiting three European countries affected by a record-breaking heatwave. The Foreign Office is warning Brits about “extreme temperatures” in France, Spain and Portugal, which are among the countries most affected by rising temperatures.
The guidance was updated on Tuesday, encouraging Britons to follow advice from local authorities. This happened on Wednesday as France recorded its hottest day for the second consecutive day. Meteo France weather agency said the country’s national thermal indicator (average temperatures measured at 30 weather stations) reached a new record high of 30C, up from 29.8C the previous day.
Man cools off at water fountain near the Eiffel Tower in Paris (Image: Getty)
In some parts of France, including Paris, the temperature rose above 40 degrees.
In its travel advice for France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says: “There is a risk of higher than normal temperatures in France during the summer months. Check the current weather forecast on the Meteo France website and read about how to protect yourself.”
“Get advice from the NHS on how to stay safe in hot weather.
People vacation at fountains in Madrid, Spain (Image: Getty)
“Check with your travel provider and follow the advice of local authorities.”
Three-quarters of France is under red alert due to extreme heat from noon Thursday until noon Friday (local time).
Tens of thousands of houses were left without electricity in the west of the country.
Spain and Portugal are also overwhelmed under the “heat dome”.
During the heatwave, Spain recorded its highest daily average June temperature (28.17C) since at least 1950.
The advice shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Spain is similar to the advice issued for France.
“Extreme weather conditions may affect many parts of Spain, especially during the summer months. Check warnings from the Spanish Meteorological Office (AEMET) and the European Meteorological Services,” the guide reads.
“Get advice from the NHS on how to stay safe in hot weather.
“Follow the instructions of the Spanish Ministry of Health for your region. You can sign up for email alerts (in Spanish).
“Check with your travel provider and follow the advice of local authorities.”
For Portugal, the advice states: “There is a risk of higher than normal temperatures in Portugal during the summer months. Check the current weather forecast on the website of the Portuguese Marine and Atmospheric Institute and read about how you can protect yourself.”
“Get advice from the NHS on how to stay safe in hot weather.
“Check with your travel provider and follow the advice of local authorities.”
Temperatures were expected to drop in Portugal starting Wednesday, despite the possibility of thunderstorms.
Italy was also significantly affected by the heatwave; 16 state capitals were under red temperature alert.
Temperatures are predicted to rise to 41C in Florence and 38C in Milan.
The State Department has not updated its travel advice for Italy.
The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium are also preparing for scorching temperatures in the coming days, but no new advice has been published from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for now.
On Wednesday the UK recorded its warmest June day ever (36.1C).
