The Latest Travel Advice - FCDO updates travel advice for France, Spain and Portugal over extreme heat risk

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning for France, Spain and Portugal amid extreme heat across the region.

The update, issued on Tuesday afternoon (23 June), in the Safety and Security section, refers to higher-than-normal temperatures across all three destinations.

It comes as parts of Europe experience an intensifying heatwave, with temperatures in several destinations expected to exceed 40C in the coming days.

In France, more than half of the country is under the most severe red weather alert. Météo-France reported highs of 42C in Bordeaux on Monday, with hundreds of schools closed as a precautionary measure.

France’s national rail operator SNCF has advised ‘vulnerable’ passengers to avoid or delay train travel this week where possible.

In Spain, the state weather service Aemet has warned of ‘extremely high’ temperatures for the season lasting until Wednesday, with conditions forecast to be between five and 10 degrees above average, and some areas expected to reach 44C, as reported by the BBC.

The red alert extends to the Basque Country, where temperatures in San Sebastián are forecast to reach 40C, almost double the typical levels for this time of year.

In Portugal, northern districts including Bragança, Guarda and Vila Real are currently under an orange alert for extreme heat.

Red weather warnings for extreme heat have also been issued in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

The FCDO advises travellers to keep up to date with the relevant national weather service ahead of travel.