Met Office warning as charts turn RED with 45C 'Cerberus' heatwave heading for Europe

At least three people have died in Italy alone as an indirect result of temperatures rising to 40C, but Met Office forecasters have warned that 'it would be even warmer there and in other nations, like Spain

Temperatures could peak this week at 45C in parts of Spain, Greece and Italy

Weather maps show broad swaths of red – temperatures considered dangerous – across much of southern Europe over the next few days.

Temperatures could peak this week at 45°C in parts of Spain, Greece and Italy, and in the latter, at least three people have already died from the heat. The heatwave - dubbed 'Cerberus' - will bring temperatures 10-15°C above average for the time of year to much of the continent.

And in Prague, Czech Republic, where temperatures just exceed 24°C in June, the mercury is expected to reach a sweltering 34°C by the weekend. North Africa is also expected to experience extreme heat, where temperatures are expected to reach 50°C.

Tourists are pictured at the Roman Colosseum as temperatures hit 40C in Italy today (

Picture:

Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)

The Met Office has already lamented climate change in a scathing analysis of the heat it did in the UK last month. Now, responding to forecasts for most of Europe, the Met Office has warned of "health impacts and the potential for wildfires".

Grahame Madge, spokesperson for the service, said: "The heatwave conditions affecting parts of southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa are expected to extend eastward for finally reaching the Middle East later in the week.

"Communities in affected areas should expect health impacts and the possibility of wildfires."

A 44-year-old man collapsed while painting a zebra crossing in Mila...