The first heatwave of the year in Europe is expected to be harsh as Spain and Portugal brace themselves for extreme temperatures. Warnings have been released as temperatures could soar as high as the middle to the late 40s, with highs of 48C expected to be recorded.

Temperatures were expected to be as high as those recorded last year. That was recorded on July 13, 2017, in Montoro, Spain. The highs were recorded at around 47.3C (117F) and Portugal also recorded temperatures about .1 higher than the Spanish heatwave at around 47.4C (117F), Sky News reports. The historical record-holder, however, is the Greek heatwave of 1977. It was recorded in Athens, Greece, on July 10 that year. The temperature was set at 48C (118F)

Records are meant to be broken, however, and AccuWeather is on track to take the new record as it hits. The forecaster warned that the record would be broken, but not only would it become the highest temperature ever set for the Iberian region; it would also break the Greek record, setting a new one for the European region.

Dr. Mark McCarthy of the UK Met Office, Euro News reveals, said that the heatwave was due to a notable rise in temperatures this summer. It was the result of a weaker-than-usual jetstream, impeded by a high-pressure system. This allowed conditions to soar as high as they have become, he continued.4

Climatologist Fatima Espirito Santo has a different take on the heatwave, however. She stayed away from calling it a heatwave, saying that the duration of the dry spell does not make it qualify to be called such. The higher temperatures, she observed, would only last three days and not five. She, however, added that any heatwave that would occur should be expected every two years as a result of climate change.

This early, Spain's government has reacted, making preparations and getting emergency crews on standby. Close to the border of Portugal and Spain, 11,000 firefighters and 56 aircraft have been set to standby for forest fires and any events caused by the heat. Also, 27 out of Spain's 50 provinces have advised their local governments to declare an "extreme risk" warning due to heat.

In Portugal, Beja is set to become the region with the hottest temperature at 47C. The Portuguese government has also declared a nationwide health warning.