Heat warnings were issued for parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and the U.K. New highs are expected on Wednesday before rain should bring respite to some areas.

The heat was so expansive that mountaintops, including the French Alps, that are usually frozen from snowpack saw record temperatures. Heat records were set for June in Spain and Portugal.

The heat wave searing western Europe is set to peak in the coming days, threatening power networks and triggering health alerts. A high-pressure system combined with a stream of super-hot air from North Africa and abnormally warm oceans is baking the region from Portugal to the UK.