‘Extreme’ heatwave to hit parts of Europe this week with 40 degree temperatures

Grab the sun cream.

Or just don't go outside. You may not be able to. Parts of Europe are to experience an "extreme," "intense", and potentially "dangerous" heatwave this week as exceptionally hot weather is pulled from Africa northwards across Europe. France, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Belgium, and Italy are expected to get most of the heat, according to Accuweather, as "a storm stalling over the Atlantic Ocean and high pressure over central and eastern Europe." In some parts of the continent, temperatures could rise as high as - and surpass - 40 degrees. For many of the aforementioned countries, the heatwave has already begun with temperatures between 34 and 38 degrees already present. The east of France has already started to heat up considerably, with warnings being issued for the elderly and very young. Meteorologists expect it to remain above 20 degrees even during the nighttime. "High temperatures will increase," said Meteo France. "From Wednesday to Friday, the rise of an unusually warm Saharan air mass will give rise to monthly record temperatures or even absolute." They added that temperatures of 40 degrees would be "regularly reached or exceeded" as the week goes on. Similar warnings were issued by German and Italian services, who said that the intense weather was due early this week and likely to last until at least the weekend. Accuweather has reported that the European heatwave could continue on into July. Meanwhile, here in Ireland things are due to be hot - just not that hot. There may be the odd shower leading into Tuesday but in general it will be a warm, sunny and dry day with temperatures continuing to improve; highs of 19 to 23 degrees with northeast breezes. Wednesday will be a warm day with good sunshine and highest temperatures of 19 to 24 degrees, warmest across the midwest. Thursday will be another warm and sunny day with highs of 20 to 27 degrees, again warmest in the midwest. Friday will see little change, and will warm and sunny, with highs of 20 to 26 degrees.