Urgent Spain holiday warning over ‘extreme risk alert’ for popular resort as 43C Charon ‘heat storm’ hits island

TOURISTS are facing a red alert weather warning in Majorca as a heatwave continues across Southern Europe. The Spanish resort island is expecting temperatures of 43C – with predictions suggesting tomorrow will be its hottest day of the year. AlamyChildren played at a cooling down splash party in Es Mercadel, Spain[/caption] AFPA workman drinks water in the Spanish city of Sevilla to cool down[/caption] BBCTemperatures are set to further intensify this week[/caption] The alert warns the summer “heat storm” is an “extreme risk” for health – with experts urging people to stay hydrated and remain in the shade as hot weather impacts Europe. People across the Mediterranean are being told to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine as the mercury rises in countries including Italy, Spain, France and Greece. Weather experts have declared 2023 an El Niño year – a natural phenomenon that occurs cyclically and causes fluctuations in the global climate. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization said it will raise temperatures around the world, and the effect is likely to continue for the rest of the year. Health officials are reminding people to stay hydrated and seek shade from the sun, with reports of people fainting in the heat. And red weather alert warnings are in place in 16 cities across Italy, including Rome – where temperatures are likely to hit 43C. A red alert suggests the heat is high enough to pose a health risk to the whole population – not just vulnerable groups like the elderly and very young children. It comes after at least three people are believed to have died in Italy’s smothering heat last week. Meanwhile the scorcher has also caused wildfires in the Spanish island of La Palma, leading to the evacuation of more than 4,000 people. A wildfire has also been reported in the Kouvaras area in Attica, southern Greece, with the Greek civil service reporting up to 150 firefighters are attempting to control the blaze. The latest bout of heat belongs to a weather system originating in North Africa – an anticyclone dubbed “Charon”. Charon refers to a character from Ancient Greek mythology – and follows on the heels of another high pressure weather system, Cerberus, responsible for last week’s sweltering heat. Weather forecasters have predicted temperatures of 49C on the Italian island of Sardinia, 45C in Turkey and 44C in Spain. But the UK Met Office said Brits would not experience similar heat this summer, saying there was “no forecast signal” for temperatures to reach the heatwave the UK felt last year. EPAThese people look hot and bothered in Rome as they shelter under parasols and hats[/caption] SplashBeaches in Portugal’s Algarve region appear deserted in the heat[/caption] Authorities have urged people to avoid alcohol and caffeine in case of dehydrationRex ReutersBurnt out cars are visible in the heat-ravaged Spanish island of La Palma[/caption]