Spain and France face second extreme heatwave of this year

Two men relax in a park on a hot afternoon in Madrid, Spain, last week as temperatures continue to spiral. Picture: AP Photo/Paul White

A second extreme heat event of the year is searing Spain and southern France, with temperatures hitting highs not normally recorded until July or August and experts warning summer heatwaves are happening earlier and more often.

The French state forecaster, Météo France, said temperatures had already exceeded 35°C close to the Mediterranean and would rise further from midweek as the hot air mass moved northwards, with parts of the south-west and Rhone valley reaching 39°C.