Historic Spanish heatwave: Cordoba breaks all-time April record

Unprecedented heat is currently affecting Spain with the all-time April temperature just broken.

In southern Spain, the all-time temperature record has just broken in Cordoba, with temperatures continuing to rise, now to 38.7°C.

The highest April temperature since records began was recorded in Murcia in 2011 at 37.4°C. Elche, "unofficially", also reached 38.6°C.

The peak of the heatwave is Thursday 27th April, with weather stations such as Granada and Seville also close in the running for breaking the record.

In the peak of this excessive heatwave, temperatures may even locally hit 40°C. While this is not uncommon mid-summer for Spain, it is extraordinary for April.

In Seville for example, the new record just measured is around two degrees above the previous, with others exceeded by several degrees. The below records that are breaking for April will be recorded in the table above.

The heat is building as a result of a ridge in the jet stream to the north of Spain, drawing up warmth from Africa, allowing high pressure and subsequent temperatures to build.

Meanwhile in the trough of the jet stream, cooler conditions are dominating Eastern Europe. While an appealing thought to be in Spain for tourists flocking away for spring sunshine, the summer-like weather also has its downfalls.

Stay up to date right here for the latest as new temperature records break.