Temperatures hit record highs for May in Britain, Ireland and France on Monday, as forecasters warned of a prolonged period of extreme heat across Europe throughout the week.

A so-called “heat dome” of warm air from northern Africa trapped under a high-pressure system over western Europe is behind the high temperatures not usually seen until high summer.

Temperatures in Spain were expected to peak later this week at 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit), while parts of Italy imposed restrictions on working outdoors.

In the United Kingdom, the Met Office weather agency said it was the hottest May day on record, with temperatures hitting 34.8 degrees at Kew Gardens, southwest London – a full two degrees above the previous high.

“This heat would be exceptional in the UK even in midsummer, let alone May,” it said on X.

“The weather here, it’s like a mini version of hell. It’s boiling. It’s like really hot,” said 10-year-old Liza Nizari on a visit to London, where temperatures normally average about 17 degrees or 18 degrees at this time of year.