Temperatures in parts of Spain reach highest on record for May:

Parts of Spain are experiencing their hottest May since records began, as a mass of hot, dry air blows in from Africa, bringing with it dusty skies and temperatures of more than 40C (104F).

Spain’s state meteorological agency, Aemet, has warned of a weekend heatwave of an “extraordinary intensity”, with temperatures between 10C and 15C above the seasonal average and more akin to high summer than mid-May.

“The early hours of 21 May have been extraordinarily hot for the time of year across a good part of the centre and south of the peninsula,” Aemet said on Saturday. “In many places the temperature did not fall below 25C, something practically unheard of in May.”