The Foreign Office has issued updated travel guidance for Brits holidaying in Spain, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus as a potentially dangerous phenomenon grips southern Europe. Portugal hit 40.5 degrees, the country’s highest temperature this year, last week, while several regions in Spain soared past 42 degrees. And across Greece, minimum night-time temperatures have hovered stubbornly above 30.
In Turkey, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Centre (AKOM) warned that temperatures in the capital city could climb as high as 37 degrees Celsius this week, and in Cyprus, conditions will reach 38 degrees inland and around 33 degrees in coastal areas.
On its website, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has warned of extreme heat in four countries. It says: “Greece can experience extreme natural phenomena such as earthquakes, wildfires, extreme heat and flash floods.
“Extreme temperatures can affect many areas of Turkey over the summer months. Wildfires happen frequently in Turkey during summer.” It adds: “The Department of Meteorology of Cyprus issues warnings for severe weather, especially during summer. Weather can sometimes cause travel disruption. “
The FCDO states: “Temperatures in some parts of Spain can change very quickly. Take extra care when planning a hike or walk. Check local weather reports for warnings of extreme heat or cold temperatures.
“Altitude sickness may be a risk in some of the higher mountain ranges in Spain, particularly in the regions of Granada, Huesca and Tenerife.”
Bas Amelung, a professor in environmental systems analysis at Wageningen University, said certain parts of Europe might become too hot for many in the future.
He said: “Countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey that currently attract the traditional ‘sun and sand’ summer tourists are likely to become too hot for comfort in the summer.
“People take decisions based on their perceptions. So if a large majority of holidaymakers thinks some European destinations will soon be ‘too hot’, they may well start adapting, either by going somewhere else in summer or by going to the same place in another season.”
