RESIDENTS on the Costa Blanca are being urged to take precautions after an ‘extraordinary danger’ weather alert was issued for extreme heat.
State meteorological agency Aemet have activated the rare red alert for the coastlines of Valencia and northern Alicante, where a combination of hot air and strong westerly winds from the Mediterranean Sea are expected to push temperatures up to 44C.
The warning came into force at 1pm on Wednesday afternoon and will last until 9pm, with a lower level orange warning covering the same timeframe the following day.
The heat is expected to create an uncomfortable night’s sleep, with temperatures hovering well above 30C after dark.
Scorching highs are also forecast further north in Castellon, Catalunya and Aragon, with the mercury expected to climb to around 42C in some areas.
READ MORE: How the locals survive the blistering summer heat in Spain’s hottest towns
The latest red alert comes just one day after another high-level warning was activated for Pontevedra, north of Portugal, amid sweltering highs of 42C.
Elsewhere, Aemet says the temperature will begin to drop, with an end to the extreme heat that has baked Spain this summer finally expected to come to an end.
READ MORE: Spain’s soaring July temperatures tie for hottest month ever since modern records started
But volatile weather conditions are expected to arrive from Thursday, with warnings for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms covering much of the eastern half of the Iberian peninsula.
Despite the increased rainfall seen in recent days, Aemet warns that the risk of wildfires remains extremely high, especially with high winds in the east, with residents and visitors urged to continue to exercise caution.
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