Europe weather forecast: Dangerous 'heat dome' to strike next week as warning of devastation issued

High levels of heat combined with low levels of rain can create perfect conditions for more wildfires - such as those seen in Greece last month.

According to weather experts, a "heat dome" is a situation where an overhang of high pressure is stuck atmospherically, which causes temperatures to soar.

Jim Dale, senior meteorologist for British Weather Services explained that the pressure has moved north from the Sahara, across Algeria and Morocco.

Speaking to GB News, he said: "Temperatures are expected to soar across countries like Spain and Portugal due to waves of heat moving north from Africa.

"It stays hot, and that's when you get the plumes with these domes that come across, it just intensifies everything that’s already there."

However, the blazing temperatures look set to bypass the UK.

Dale added: "We won't see temperatures as high as other parts of Europe but next week could heat up 25/26C, possibly 28C at a push.

"For the best part of next week there will be warm, sunny conditions that will remain mostly dry for the majority of the UK.

"Following a series of wildfires and scorching temperatures in Rhodes, parts of Portugal and areas across Europe, it is all a symptom of climate change. It's a real pivotal moment."

Met Office expert operational meteorologist, Rebekah Sherwin, added: "High pressure will build across southern Europe over the next few days allowing a steady increase in temperatures.

"The region will see higher than average temperatures returning over the next week, with temperatures expected to be 5-10C above average in places (into the high 30s or possibly low 40s Celsius)."

She added that areas will stay in the 20sC overnight and the wind will be the "devil" for these places if wildfires do take hold.

Temperatures have risen the 30s, particularly in the South East of England, but the "heat dome" is not expected to bring extreme temperatures our way.