Spanish weather experts are predicting "intense heat" this week after the nation sizzled in temperatures that exceeded 40C over the weekend. On Sunday, June 8, parts of Sevilla and Cordoba basked in temps of more than 42C.

And in an update on X, previously Twitter, today Spain's national weather agency AEMET said the upcoming days' weather "will be more typical of July" with "intense heat", although there is an exception to this. The post, originally in Spanish, reads: "Temperatures will be more typical of July, except for Wednesday and Thursday when they will be normal.

"Intense heat is expected today and tomorrow, with highs above 36C in the central and inland-southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula and the Ebro Valley. Highs are also expected in the Ebro Valley on Wednesday."

Giving its prediction for the week ahead, AEMET said it expected some "evolving cloudiness and thundery showers in the north, centre and east of the peninsula, which could be accompanied by hail and very strong gusts of wind" between now and Wednesday.

From Thursday to Sunday it anticipates conditions to be "predominantly sunny without significant rainfall".

"In large areas", AEMET added, "temperatures will exceed 34C for much of the week". Earlier this month forecasters predicted this summer to be "warmer than average" across Spain.

The UK Foreign Office explains that "extreme weather can affect many areas of Spain, particularly over the summer months" and urges Brits to follow AEMET, as well as the European Meteorological services, for any severe warnings.