Brits heading to Spain urged to check new system after 22,000 deaths

Climate change is real with the ongoing issue of global warming showing no signs of getting any less bleak.

And despite everyone trying to get on with their lives, changes are afoot in every day life when it comes to dealing with blistering heat and extreme cold.

That is also the case when it comes to heading abroad, with a new system now unveiled that could mean the difference between life and death.

The system, launched in Spain, follows on from more than 22,000 heat-related deaths in the country since 2017.

It comes after the country's weather agency said it recorded abnormally hot temperatures last winter, with a heat spell hitting Spain that was warm enough for some to sunbathe on the beach or even take a dip in the ocean.

The AEMET weather agency said many cities across the country recorded their hottest temperatures for winter in more than two decades.

Fast-forward five months and summer is right around the corner, with millions of Brits set to jet off to their beloved Spain once again. And with it being the most popular destination for UK sun-seekers, the new system is one Brits should probably pay attention to more than any other nationality. It comes just days after a fresh passport warning was issued to Brits heading to Spain.

Bay of Biscay San Sebastian, Spain (Getty Stock Images)

As reported by EuroNews, the country has engineered a state-of-the-art heat alert map ahead of what is widely expected to be another boiling hot summer.

It comes as Copernicus, the EU's global warming monitoring body, has recorded the 11th consecutive warmest month around the world. In other words, every month since June 2023 until April 2024 has been the hottest respective month, ever.

Now, in a bid to quite simply stop people from dying, the Spanish government's Ministry of Health has issued the new heat map to produce area-by-area alerts right across the country. It includes mainland Spain as well as the Balearic and Canary islands.

Digital board indicating 47 degrees Celsius surrounded by buildings at Opera square in the city centre of Madrid during a heat wave (Getty Stock Images)

Only launched last week, it'll run with live updates until the end of September with a chance of October updates if significant heat remains in to the autumn months.

The map splits Spain in to 52 regions, so you can accurately know if the area you're on holiday in presents a danger to your health.

There are four risk levels - Level 0: no risk; Level 1: low risk; Level 2: medium risk; and Level 3: high risk.

For each region it gives five day forecasts with a temperature breakdown for each day alongside a risk level.

Spain heatwaves have been intense in recent summers (Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Images))

General precautions for keeping safe in extreme heat include avoiding the sunshine during the middle of the day and upping your water intake. Taking advantage of air conditioning units, if you have them, is also recommended.

So, ahead of your summer hols to Spain, maybe bookmark the above map. Have a belting time but stay safe.