Europe heatwave: British tourists warned as temperatures reach near-record highs

The UK can expect warm, settled weather over the coming days with temperatures potentially reaching the 'meteorologically high' category

Across Europe, sizzling heat waves are hitting popular holiday destinations and tourist hotspots (GENT SHKULLAKU/AFP/Getty Images)

Millions of British tourists heading on holiday to Europe this summer have been issued with health warnings as a wave of scorching heat builds across Europe causing unseasonably blistering temperatures.

The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) has warned holidaymakers to take extra care in the sun to avoid health risks such as dehydration and heat stoke.

A spokeswoman from Abta said: “Holidaymakers should avoid the beaches at midday when the sun is at it's hottest. People should also make sure they drink lots of water and use a high factor suntan lotion when they are outside. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable and parents are advised to take extra care in the sun.”

The heat is set to last well into next week as slow moving storms to the north-west of the British Isles and high pressure over eastern Europe combine to create the sweltering conditions.

Although things aren’t set to be quite as warm for the UK, Brits can still expect warm, settled weather over the coming days with temperatures potentially reaching the "meteorologically high" category towards the end of next week, according to a Met Office spokesman.

Across Europe, sizzling heatwaves are hitting popular holiday destinations and tourist hotspots.

Temperatures in Berlin, Germany soared to 35C yesterday, while forecasters at AccuWeather have predicted that today will be the city’s hottest day of the week with possible highs of 38C, close to the highest temperature ever recorded in Berlin of 38.1C in 1959.

Poland will also feel the heat over the coming week. Warsaw could experience its hottest August day on record this Saturday as temperatures rise to 37C across the region.

Those jetting off on holiday to Spain, Italy and eastern Europe should also be prepared for searing highs as Madrid, Milan, Florence, Budapest and Prague experience several days of extreme heat set to last over the weekend and into the week.

For the UK, however, the next few days won't be quite as sweltering.

Weather systems from the Atlantic are set to “spoil” the hot weather for the UK, a Met Office spokesman told The Independent.

“The temperatures we’re seeing in Europe won’t quite make it to the UK,” he said, “but the next few days will bring some warmer weather.”

“Warm pressure coming over the South East of the country will bring some fairly high temperatures to that area which will last well into next week”.

Although the coming warm spell won’t be as extreme as that felt at the beginning of July, the South East could experience sunny spells in the high twenties, with temperatures reaching 26C or 27C on Sunday and possibly nearing 30C into the following week.

The spokesman added: “Weather will be relatively settled and could potentially be in the 'meteorologically high' category towards the end of next week, however this warm spell will be short lived.”