An anticyclonic ridge from North Africa traps hot air over western Europe. Badajoz hits 38°C, Santander keeps breaking records, France counts its dead. This is no blip but the new normal.

The first apparent heatwave of the year hit Spain last week, and there’s no let up yet as unusually high May temperatures are set to continue throughout much of this week too,…

Climate change is causing earlier and more intense heatwaves, France’s weather agency said.

Parts of Spain could also see the mercury climb to 40C by the end of the week

Extreme heat settles upon western Europe, with values in Spain set to reach 40 degrees

Heat dome over Europe scorches UK, Ireland, France and Spain