MUCH of southern Europe is baking in extreme heat, with Greece seeing temperatures of 40C (104F) or more.
The Acropolis, the country’s most popular tourist attraction, was closed during the hottest hours of the day to protect visitors.
Potentially record temperatures are expected next week as another heatwave approaches.
The European Space Agency (ESA) says Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland may see extreme conditions.
The ESA monitors land and sea temperatures via its satellites.
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe was 48.8C in Sicily in August 2021.
There are also fears in Greece of a greater risk of wildfires, especially in areas with high winds. It suffered major wildfires in 2021 in another exceptional heatwave.
In Croatia, fires broke out on Thursday, burning houses and cars in at least one village, Grebastica, on the Dalmatian coast. Officials told Croatian TV on Friday morning that the fire had been brought under control.
High temperatures have also been reaching into central parts of Europe, with Germany and Poland among countries affected.
Czechia’s meteorological office issued a warning that temperatures at the weekend could go above 38C, which is exceptionally high for the country.
Meanwhile in the UK, heavy showers and gusty winds are expected in parts of England on Saturday.
Meteorologists quoted by PA suggested this was because the southern shift of the jet stream which was fuelling the hot weather in Europe, was also drawing low-pressure systems into the UK, bringing unsettled and cooler weather.
