Parts of southeastern Spain are set to swelter under the first major heat episode of June today, with an orange weather warning issued for Murcia where temperatures are expected to hit 40C.
State weather agency Aemet has activated the alert for the Vega del Segura area of Murcia between 2pm and 8pm on Tuesday, warning of maximum temperatures of 40C.
The warning marks the highest-level heat alert currently in force across mainland Spain and comes as hot air from North Africa pushes temperatures well above seasonal averages.
Elsewhere in the Murcia region, yellow alerts have been issued for the Valle del Guadalentin, Lorca and Aguilas areas, where highs of 38C are forecast.
The Valle del Almanzora and Los Velez area of neighbouring Almeria is also under a yellow warning, with temperatures expected to reach 39C and potentially exceed 40C in some locations.
The heat will also be felt across the Costa del Sol, where inland parts of Malaga province are forecast to approach 39C.
Aemet has issued a yellow alert for the Sol and Guadalhorce region between 2pm and 8pm on Tuesday, warning of maximum temperatures of 37C, with some hotspots potentially reaching 39C.
The warning area includes inland municipalities around the Guadalhorce Valley, where temperatures typically run significantly higher than along the coast.
Further west, the Campiña Cordobesa is also under a yellow warning for temperatures of up to 38C.
In Alicante province, a yellow alert has been activated for the southern coast, where temperatures are expected to reach 38C and could exceed 39C around Orihuela.
Health authorities advise residents and tourists to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, stay hydrated and check on vulnerable relatives, particularly the elderly and young children.
The heatwave conditions come just days after Spain recorded its hottest May on record, with temperatures across much of the country running well above average for the time of year.
