MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Spain is set to enter its third heatwave of the summer on Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to climb above 40C across large parts of the country, the national weather office said.

The heatwave will be fuelled by a persistent area of high pressure that will trap hot, dry air from North Africa over Spain for several days, pushing temperatures to exceptionally high levels, AEMET said in a statement.

The heat is expected to intensify through Thursday, which forecasters say is likely to be the peak of the event, with some isolated areas potentially exceeding 45C.