Local authorities have issued fresh warnings as temperatures have pushed past 40C in countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece – and the heatwave is set to continue

Brits heading to southern Europe are being alerted as major heatwaves with temperatures above 40C soar in countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece. Local authorities have issued fresh warnings about the risk of wildfires.

Experts are attributing the increasing frequency and intensity of these heatwaves to climate change. They warn such extreme weather events are becoming more common across southern Europe.

Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal experienced severe heat before the weekend, forcing locals and tourists to seek shelter from the sweltering conditions. Two-thirds of Portugal was on high alert on Sunday due to extreme heat and wildfires, with temperatures in Lisbon expected to exceed 42C.

In Italy, several regions including Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria, were considering banning some outdoor work activities during the day’s hottest hours in response to the record-breaking temperatures. Italian trade unions urged the government to implement such measures nationwide.

On Sunday, the Italian health ministry issued its highest heat alert for 21 out of 27 monitored cities, including popular holiday destinations like Rome, Milan and Naples, reports Bristol Live.

Tourists in Rome sought shade near famous landmarks like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, using umbrellas and drinking from public water fountains to keep cool. Similar scenes were observed in Milan and Naples, where street vendors sold lemonade to tourists and residents as a respite from the heat.

Greece is once again on high alert for wildfires due to extreme weather, with the first summer heat wave expected to persist over the weekend. A significant wildfire erupted south of Athens on Thursday, prompting evacuations and road closures near the ancient Temple of Poseidon.

Strong winds fanned the flames, causing damage to homes and filling the sky with smoke. Experts have warned that intense heat can disrupt daily life, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. Local authorities have advised against physical activity during the peak heat of the day and recommended staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

A study published last year in The Lancet Public Health emphasised the growing risk of heat-related deaths due to climate change. The research predicted that under current climate policies, heat-related deaths could increase more than fourfold by the middle of the century.

While more people currently die from cold than heat, the study highlighted that rising temperatures will counteract the benefits of milder winters, leading to a significant net increase in heat-related mortality.