AN URGENT warning has been issued for British holidaymakers in Spain as temperatures are forecast to reach 39C today.

       The Spanish Ministry of Health urged tourists to steer clear of beaches in popular resorts on the Med coast.

       4

       An orange alert has been issued in Alicante with the temperatures climbing to 39C Credit: Getty 4

       Spain's Met Office issued an orange alert for maximum temperatures today on the southern coast of Alicante Credit: aemet

       Experts advised holidaymakers to stay as long as possible in cool, shaded places as temperatures peak in the heatwave.

       Spain's Met Office issued an orange alert today on the coast around Alicante, where it is set to hit 39C.

       Temperatures are also expected to reach 38C in Majorca and 36C in Barcelona.

       Tourists were advised to frequently drink water - even if the don't feel thirsty.

       READ MORE ON SPAIN

       BUG BEAR Warning to holidaymakers as cases of deadly bug surge in Spain - 6 signs to know

       SCORCHIO Spain weather warning with temps set to hit 39C as Brits hit the Magaluf strip

       Health officials have also warned visitors to avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar as they can make you severely dehydrated in hot weather.

       They also urged people to reduce physical activity in the central hours of the day.

       Officials recommend wearing light, baggy clothes that allow you to sweat as well as eating light meals that will help replace the salt lost through perspiration.

       Holidaymakers are also being told to store any medication they have in a cool place as the severe heat can alter its effects.

       Most read in The Sun

       KILLED BY BIG BRO Teen girl's evil brother GUILTY of her murder after vile sex attack

       HORROR CRASH Greek firefighting plane crashes after clipping tree while dousing wildfire

       BLINKING LOVELY Big Brother legend Helen unrecognisable 22 years after quitting fame

       'TERRIBLE IDEA' EasyJet pilot warns tourists to GET OFF his holiday flight to Rhodes

       Anyone suffering symptoms related to hot weather for more than an hour is urged to seek medical help.

       It comes after Majorca faced a red alert weather warning last week with temperatures reaching up to 43C.

       Earlier wildfires erupted in the Spanish island of La Palma on July 15, leading to the evacuation of more than 4,000 people.

       Forecasters from the United Nations' weather agency the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) have warned Europe's hot weather is expected to persist into early August.

       Weather experts have declared 2023 an El Ni？o year - a natural phenomenon that occurs cyclically and causes fluctuations in the global climate.

       But the UK Met Office said Brits would not experience similar heat this summer, saying there was "no forecast signal" for temperatures to match the heatwave the UK felt last year.

       4

       Majorca's temperatures are expected to reach 38C Credit: Getty 4

       Barcelona is set to reach highs of 36C today Credit: AFP