Sweltering conditions have returned to hit Europe once again with wildfires and drought ravaging some countries, with record-breaking temperatures set for the weekend.

Temperatures have been 4 to 5 degrees Celsius above the seasonal norm, leading to highs above 40C (104F), and it's about to get worse.

Scorching heat and prolonged dry weather have already caused huge problems across Europe, including an unprecedented drought in Italy and a series of forest fires in Portugal and Greece.

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There are growing concerns that if the extreme weather continues, citizens and agricultural production are in for a tough summer with most of the affected countries now on high alert.

Spaniards are experiencing their second heatwave of the year with temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celcius in Seville.

The warm summer sunshine combined with a hot air front from North Africa have seen temperatures soar. In La Rioja, northern Spain, 90 firefighters have been battling to control a fire.

Portugal has raised its alert level to its third-highest of four levels, with the government putting thousands of firefighters were on standby. Under the state of contingency, in place until Friday, the government has banned the public from accessing forests deemed to be at risk.

The country has suffered multiple wildfires in the last few days with authorities warning the worst is yet to come.

Italy is also struggling with its worst heatwave of the season arriving on the back of several highly unusual hot and dry periods. 

The government has declared a state of emergency in five regions with much of the country experiencing the worst drought in 70 years. It is estimated to have affected about one-third of Italy's agricultural output.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has asked all ministers to mobilize to deal with the consequences of the heatwave.

In the UK, a level three heat health alert has been issued, on a scale of four, from Monday morning until Friday morning in some English regions. 

Temperatures could reach up to 40 degrees Celsius this weekend in the UK which would break the current temperature record of 38.7 degrees Celsius set in Cambridge in 2019.