Temperatures hit record highs for May in the United Kingdom 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 degrees Fahrenheit), while parts of Italy imposed restrictions on working outdoors.

“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.

Lindy Brand-Daloze, a 66-year-old Australian administrator who has been living in London for 12 years, said: “It’s warm, but it’s climate change, isn’t it? So, you know, [we have] probably got to get used to this.”

The Met Office weather agency said Monday was the hottest May day on record, with the mercury rising to 33.5 degrees at Heathrow, west of the capital, at 1pm – 1.3 degrees more than the previous benchmark recorded in 1922 and 1944.