Temperatures breached 40 degrees Celsius in parts of southern Europe on Saturday, as the Netherlands celebrated the arrival of summer conditions after months of record rainfall.<\/p>\n
Hot air from Africa has brought scorching heat to southern Spain, with the Andalusian city of Seville recording over 40 degrees on Friday according to the national weather service (AEMET).<\/p>\n
The air was similarly hot and oppressive in the north-eastern city of Zaragoza, which AEMET warned could see temperatures reach 44 degrees on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In Italy, meanwhile, the Health Ministry issued its highest heat warning level for 11 major cities on Saturday, down from 17 on Friday.<\/p>\n
A high-pressure system has been bringing searing heat to the country for several days, with high humidity adding to the difficulties.<\/p>\n
Further east in Greece, many regions have been affected by heat and wildfires.<\/p>\n
The capital Athens has seen temperatures remain above 30 degrees for the last 10 days and nights. The constant heat can be exhausting for the human body.<\/p>\n
Not every country was groaning under the heat on Saturday, however.<\/p>\n
In the Netherlands, a three-day heatwave has brought much-needed warmth and sunshine after record rainfall in recent months.<\/p>\n
The national weather service said the country has experienced “a very wet spring, and before that, winter and autumn.”<\/p>\n
The 12 months from June 2023 to 2024 were in fact the wettest one-year period ever recorded in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
The warmer temperatures are not set to last, however, with forecasters predicting a return to cool conditions on Sunday.<\/p>\n