North and south Europe experience contrasting weather extremes as US bakes in the sun

In Spain, the national meteorological service issued warnings that parts of the south and east of the country would reach 40C this weekend. File photo: Cristina Quicler/AFP via Getty Images

Weather patterns in Europe have become a contrast of two extremes this summer, with sweltering heat in the south and above-average rain in the north while parts of the US are battling unprecedented temperatures.

In Spain, the national meteorological service issued warnings that parts of the south and east of the country would reach 40C this weekend.