Latest news Blazing heat now in Spain: 44 degrees expected in Andalusia

Spain is experiencing the first really hot days of this summer with temperatures possibly reaching 44 degrees.

Temperatures of up to 42 degrees were expected for Zaragoza in the north-east of the country by Friday, and it could get even hotter in Andalusia in the south.

In the cities of Seville and Córdoba, which are located in the Guadalquivir river valley, it could be up to 44 degrees, especially on Friday, warned the national weather service Aemet. Even at night, temperatures often do not drop below 20 degrees, which the Spanish refer to as tropical nights.

However, not all heat is the same. With high humidity, such as on the vacation island of Mallorca, the expected 35 degrees are often perceived as more sweaty than a few degrees more in the drier Andalusia.

Either way, the advice is the same: drink plenty of water, wear light clothing, move strenuous physical activity to the cooler morning and evening hours or avoid it altogether and pay attention to other people, especially the elderly, who often don't cope so well with the heat.

A slight cooling to temperatures below 40 degrees nationwide is expected from Sunday.