Brits heading to Spain to bask in 44C this week with tourists urged to dodge booze – map shows hottest spots
A map has revealed the hottest places in the country full of holiday hotspots - with the mercury soaring up to 44C in some places.
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A scorching heatwave has now gripped Spain, set to last till the end of the week.
Some spots are so hot that Spain's state forecaster Aemet was forced to issue weather warnings.
Red and orange warnings have been issued across much of the nation.
Aemet says maximum temperatures will continue to rise in parts of Southern and Eastern Spain.
Most of the central part of the country will see the mercury dancing between 35C to 40C.
The temperature will rise to 44C in Seville on August 12.
While holiday spots like Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Lanzarote will see temperatures around 40C.
Regions in Spain's far north will also see the mercury hit 40C.
The weather alerts are expected to be lifted on August 14.
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Until then, Brits heading to bask in some glorious sunlight are advised to take extra care to avoid getting heatstroke.
This is because tourists are more likely to end up in hospital during heatwaves than seasoned locals.
One suggestion likely unpopular with Brits on their hols was to avoid alcohol - because it has a dehydrating effect on the body.
The advice is to drink water often, even if you're not thirsty, and avoid both alcohol and caffeine.
It was also recommended to "dress smart", which means wearing loose-fitting clothes - particularly cotton or linen if possible.
Heatwave advice for Brits on holiday
While warmer weather can be fun, it is important to stay safe and avoid over heating - here are some other top tips to stay safe in the sun
Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection
The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through.
Drink water
Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day.
Use suncream
According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body.
If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective
If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
Lighter colours reflect the sun so can help you to stay cool.
Another point is to simply stay indoors during times of peak temperatures, and certainly to avoid any strenuous activity under the sun.
The authorities also issued a reminder about the signs of heatstroke, so people know when they need to find help.
Fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion and nausea are all common symptoms of heatstroke, which, in severe cases, can be fatal.
Houses should be shuttered up during the day, it was advised, but windows and vents opened at night to allow a cooling airflow.
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BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sun cream for pigs and hosepipe for otters at Telford's Exotic Zoo
"Our otters absolutely love just a hosepipe, so we'll typically tie a hosepipe up in their tree."Kirsten Massey, a keeper at Telford's Exotic Zoo, in Shropshire, has been explaining how they help the animals to cope in the heat. As well as hosepipes for the otters, the keepers put sun cream on the pigs, fill paddling pools for meercats and make ice lollies with the animals favourite snacks heat is expected to ease for most on Thursday with some thunderstorms but temperatures will rise again on Friday. Keeping the animals cool could be "just as fun for us as it is for the animal," Ms Massey said."[Otters are] really funny and they really love using their hands for stuff. So they'll tend to try and catch the water, rather than try and drink it."So that's always a really fun one to do." Staff have been also filling paddling pools for meerkats and putting sun cream on Massey said: "We absolutely love children's padding pools here at the zoo."They're shallow, they're nice and safe, we fill them up with nice cold water and the animals can just do whatever they want."Some will literally sit in them and just stay in them all day. Some will have a little bit of a splash, have a little bit of a drink and just kind of enjoy them." It's the more domesticated animals who suffer in the hotter weather, the zoo said."One of our male Pygmy goats... he often gets sunburnt on his little pink nose, so we'll come by every morning and blob a little bit on his nose." Owner Scott Adams said people liked a cold treat to cool them down on a sunny day and the zoo was "doing similar things" for animals."We've been making them some ice lollies with their favourite snacks in it, maybe some fruit, maybe some vegetables and then they've got a bit of enrichment."They've got to break it open to get into their food and then also it's got the nice cooling [effect] of the ice cream and ice lolly." He added: "The animals are enjoying the heat, we're enjoying the heat and as long as it doesn't get too, too hot, I think everybody's gonna be really happy." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
