Spain has issued its first warnings of the year for extreme heat.
The alerts in Andalucia and Catalonia have been issued by state weather agency Aemet.
Specifically, a yellow alert is in place for the whole of Sevilla province on Wednesday.
According to meteorologists, the mercury could reach as high as 38C, with residents asked to practice caution between the hours of 1pm and 9pm.
In Catalonia, a yellow alert for extreme heat is in place in inland Lleida and Tarragona.
In both areas, temperatures are expected to reach 36C, with the weather alert lasting from 1pm to 9pm.
According to weather service El Tiempo, temperatures will climb even further in Sevilla on Thursday this week, reaching highs of 39C.
This, it said, will be hotter in Cairo, Egypt, which will record maximums of 34C on the same day.
El Tiempo said in a report: ‘This anomylous heat will persist at least until the weekend, especially in inland and southern areas of the country.
‘In the north, the arrival of a short wave first and then a trough will cause a shift in air masses, potentially lowering temperatures, with some precipitation.’
It said the heat is being caused by an atmospheric structure that is pushing air downwards.
It explained: ‘These downward movements cause the descending air to warm as it compresses. Thus, the air mass will warm through this process. Added to this will be daytime sunshine.
‘At this time of year, the warming of the Earth’s surface during the day is also very noticeable, causing a significant rise in temperatures during daylight hours.’ This also ends up being reflected in the lower and lower-middle layers, where the air is warming up.’
