BRITS holidaying in Spain have been warned not to the drink the beer amid a scorching 42-degree heatwave from Africa.
Areas of the country roasted under extreme heat over the weekend – and the balmy temperatures look set to stay.
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Some spots were so hot the state forecaster, Aemet, was forced to issue weather warnings.
Yellow and amber alerts came into force on Sunday – with Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen in the south worst affected.
Emergency guidance was issued to tourists and locals alike advising them on how to stay safe when it’s sweltering.
One suggestion likely unpopular with Brits on their hols was to avoid alcohol, because it has a dehydrating effect on the body.
The advice is to drink water often, even if you’re not thirsty, and avoid both alcohol and caffeine.
It was also recommended to “dress smart”, which means wearing loose-fitting clothes – particularly cotton or linen if possible.
Lighter colours reflect the sun so can help you to stay cool.
Another point is to simply stay indoors during times of peak temperatures, and certainly to avoid any strenuous activity under the sun.
The authorities also issued a reminder about the signs of heatstroke, so people know when they need to find help.
Fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion and nausea are all common symptoms of heatstroke which, in severe cases, can be fatal.
Houses should be shuttered up during the day, it was advised, but and vents opened at night to allow a cooling airflow.
And finally, people were urged to keep a close eye on anyone vulnerable.
The elderly, people with chronic illnesses or those living alone are particularly at risk of heat-related complications, so communities were encouraged to work together to check in on them.
There was a special mention for tourists, who are more likely to end up in hospital during heatwaves than seasoned locals.
The culprit behind the immense heat was a plume of hot air which blew over from north Africa.
Once it reached Spain, the air stayed hot thanks to clear skies and atmospheric stability, Aemet explained.
Monday was predicted to bring more of the same the heat, with some areas again expected to top 40 degrees.
The thermometer is predicted to remain high through this week, and above average for the rest of June.
And there is also expected to be less rain than usual, meaning it will be dry all round for the country.
However, there could be a temporary let-up from localised mid-week storms in the northwest and centre of the country.
This follows a particularly hot May, with many locations seeing record-breaking temperatures – particularly in southern and western areas of Spain.
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