People take to the beach as a winter heat wave hits much of Spain

By CIARÁN GILES
Associated Press

MADRID (AP) — Spain’s weather agency says abnormally high temperatures for the season are set to continue in many parts of the country over the weekend. The hot spell has led to an almost summer-like feel in many coastal areas as people take to the beaches to sunbathe or have a winter swim. Spain’s AEMET weather agency said the high temperatures affecting southern Europe are due to an anticyclone carrying a hot air mass from further south. It said that the lack of cloud cover has also led to increased temperatures. Spain and other parts of Europe were hit by bitterly cold weather and rainstorms just last week.