The heat wave continues its journey through Europe.

Several red warnings have now been issued in France.

Temperatures above 40 degrees are expected there on Tuesday as well.

Tourists in Seville seek shelter from extreme heat

1:12

Extreme heat is plaguing southern Europe. Temperatures in Spain and Portugal have reached over 46 degrees Celsius over the weekend. According to the Spanish weather agency AEMET, it could get even hotter.

Now France is also warning about the heat. Several areas in the country have had temperatures between 36 and 38 degrees on Monday. Tuesday is expected to be even hotter. A total of 16 departments have issued a red heat warning, according to Le Parisien. An orange warning is in effect in another 68 departments.

“In some areas, temperatures are being measured that are more than ten degrees above normal for the season,” Health Minister Yannick Neuder told the newspaper during a visit to Paris.

“Everyone’s business”

The heat is expected to peak on Tuesday with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in some places. Wednesday is also expected to be sweaty. Only areas near the English Channel and the Belgian border will see temperatures below 34 degrees.

Yannick Neuder urges French residents to be vigilant and to raise the alarm if anyone seems to be getting sick from the heat.

“The heat wave is everyone's concern,” he says, but adds that the elderly are especially vulnerable.

Record heat in the Mediterranean

The southern European heat is also visible in the Mediterranean Sea, which on Sunday measured the highest average surface temperature ever: 26.01 degrees, according to the European Copernicus program.

Portugal had its hottest June day ever on Sunday, with temperatures reaching 46.6 degrees Celsius in the Évora district. In Spain, authorities are warning that temperatures could top the country's record of 47.4 degrees Celsius. At least two people are feared to have died as a result of the heat so far, according to El País.