Met Office warns of 50C summers following record-breaking temperatures

Met Office forecasters have predicted Europe could soon see 50C temperatures during summer after a record-breaking August.

This week, temperatures in Syracuse in Sicily, Italy, exceeded the previous record of the highest temperature seen in Europe with the mercury hitting 48.8°C.

The previous record of 48.0°C was set in Athens in 1977.

The new record has sparked concerns about climate change, with experts suggesting the 50C-mark could soon be broken.

Professor Peter Stott, a climate expert for the Met Office said: “Climate change is making heat-related extremes of weather more intense and when we think about those record-breaking temperature the chance of breaking temperature records – or coming close to breaking records – is greatly increased."

Professor Stott, who has studied European heatwaves for almost 20 years, said Met Office analysis found higher temperatures were "five times more likely" because of climate change.

Professor Stott said in the blog: “The chances each summer of seeing really extreme temperatures are pretty high now.

"We can’t say exactly when it is likely to happen, but Europe will need to prepare for the eventuality of further records being broken with temperatures above 50.0°C being possible in Europe in future, most likely close to the Mediterranean where the influence of hot air from North Africa is strongest.”

According to the Met Office, the average temperature has risen by around 1.1°C since the late 1800s - with some areas rising more.