Europe is set to reach its hottest day ever as dangerous temperatures up to 48C are expected to hit Spain and Portugal this weekend. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe was on 10 July 1977 when Athens in Greece reached 48C. Portugal’s record is 47.4C set in 2003. Met Office forecaster John Hammond said of the European heatwave: ‘Hell is a place on earth as Iberia heats up.’ At least three people have died as a result of the extreme weather.