Canary Islands holiday warning over ‘red alert’ heatwave with temperatures set to hit 41C in Gran Canaria

BRITISH holidaymakers have been warned over a "red alert" heatwave as temperatures are set to reach 41C in the Canary Islands.

The scorcher in the popular hotspot is expected to peak on Thursday as a red warning will be in place for parts of Gran Canaria.

A map by Spain's meteorological agency AEMET shows that sizzling temperatures are set to hit Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Santa Cruz de la Palma, in dark pink colour.

But the highest will be recorded in Gran Canaria as shown in purple which means the mercury will exceed 40C.

The heatwave in the area - the second one in the past two weeks - has prompted local officials to declare a state of high alert.

The soaring temperatures have led AEMET to activate an orange warning which will be raised to a red warning on Thursday.

Weather experts have declared 2023 an El Niño year - a natural phenomenon that occurs cyclically and causes fluctuations in the global climate.

The UN’s World Meteorological Organization said it will raise temperatures around the world, and the effect is likely to continue for the rest of the year.

Today's orange warning covers the southern half of Gran Canaria and the entire island of Tenerife till 8pm.

But on Thursday the mercury is set to soar even more with the forecast predicting it will reach a boiling 41C in the Gran Canaria.

The highest temperatures will be recorded in the Gran Canaria including the towns of Tasarte, Tunte, and Mogan.

The red warning is set to remain in place until Saturday in some regions including San Bartolomé de Tirajana and Santa Lucía de Tirajana.

The alert comes into force according to the Specific Emergency Plan of the Canary Islands for Phenomena Risks.

The General Directorate of Security and Emergencies has declared a state of alert due to the high temperatures for wildfires across the island and urged locals to be cautious reminding them lighting a fire in any type of open space is forbidden.

The health ministry has released a bulletin with advice on how to protect from the hot weather urging people to keep hydrated, stay away from the sun, and reduce physical activity during the hottest time of the day.

An orange warning (significant risk) will be in place for Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife, and La Palma where temperatures will not drop below 38C.

A yellow warning will be in force in the rest of the Canary Islands as temperatures are expected to start dropping over the weekend.

Thursday's 41C would still be significantly below Gran Canaria's record of 46.5C on July 30, 2007 - which was an El Niño year, driving up global temperatures.

Earlier this month holidaymakers were warned over another heatwave in Spain- this time in popular resorts such as Benidorm and the islands of Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza.

 Spain's meteorological agency AEMET issued a "Level 1 heat alert" as temperatures across Spain reached highs of 42C.

It appears that a heatwave has arrived in the Mediterranean as those heading to Greece were warned yesterday that temperatures will reach 45C this week in some regions.

The first heatwave of the summer is due to last ten days with temperatures reaching an average of 42C to 43C across the country.