A heatwave has swept across much of Europe this week, with temperatures above 40 degrees in some places.

The heatwave looks set to peak in southern Europe tomorrow, before moving north towards the UK for the weekend.

It’s the weekend, the weather system may be snowing on the Norwegian coast.

– Now it looks like we’re getting the remnants of this heatwave as it moves northeast, said Meteorological Institute-based meteorologist Martin Granerød.

Extreme heat is not expected in Norway, but there could be temperatures of up to 30 degrees in southern Norway on Tuesday, meteorologists said.

England brace for record heat

In England and Wales, people have flocked to the beaches in recent days.

In some places, temperatures are approaching 35 degrees, not far from the record 38.7 degrees from 2019.

The hottest days are still to come. The Meteorological Institute in the UK believes there is a 20 per cent chance that Monday could be the hottest temperature in the country’s history.

The Institute had sent out a red hazard warning for heat, a warning that had only been useful twice before, according to BBC.

It has been observed that birds faint in the air due to heatstroke.

It is feared that the incoming heat will hit critical infrastructure and cause casualties.

In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has activated extreme weather protocols to protect the most vulnerable citizens. The protocol is usually only used when the weather is very cold.

– This heatwave can be dangerous for everyone, but for people living in harsh conditions there is a greater risk, says Khan Sky News.

Spain: Longest heatwave on record

Further south in Europe, temperatures have passed more than 40 degrees in the shade in several countries in recent days. The heatwave is the continent’s second in less than a month.

In Spain, almost the entire country is exposed to heat, which is very unusual.

Spanish meteorologists sounded the alarm about extreme heat in 16 of the country’s 17 regions. Only the Canary Islands are beyond warning of danger.

– A red hazard warning has been sent in Spain and temperatures of up to 44 degrees are forecast in some places, said meteorologist Granerød.

Spanish meteorologists have not observed such a long heatwave since they began making such statistics in 1975, writes NTB.

Hundreds of forest fires

Heat is expected to peak in France and Spain on Thursday.

France has banned fireworks on National Day in a bid to reduce the number of wildfires in the country.

With heat, drought and strong winds, hundreds of wildfires have occurred in Portugal, Spain and France. In France, more than 6,500 people have been evacuated from the municipality of Landiras south of Bordeaux.

In Portugal, more than 600 people have been evacuated and 120 are undergoing medical treatment, the AP news agency said. 2,300 firefighters carried out extinguishing work.

In Portugal, 80 percent of the mainland is under high risk, according to the country’s meteorological agency.