Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s weather is shifting sharply again, with Wednesday bringing a return to dry skies, rising temperatures, and a taste of early summer after last week’s unseasonable chill.
The rise in Spain’s weather is being driven by high pressure over Europe. It is leaving most of the country settled, sunny and increasingly warm. According to AEMET forecasts reported by RTVE, temperatures are expected to reach 35 °Cin Badajoz and Sevilla, with 33 °C forecast in Córdoba, Zaragoza, Toledo and Murcia.
What readers need to know today
This is not yet an official heatwave, but it is the first widespread burst of summer-like heat for many parts of Spain this week.
RTVE, citing Spain’s state weather agency AEMET, says temperatures will rise across most of the country on Wednesday, especially in the Guadiana valley and southern Galicia. Much of the south-west and the Ebro valley will move above 30 °C.
For residents, tourists and anyone travelling, the main impact is likely to be heat during the middle of the day. Outdoor workers, older people, young children and anyone exercising should take extra care.
Where Spain will feel the heat most
The warmest areas on Wednesday are expected to be inland and southern regions.
Badajoz and Sevilla are forecast to reach around 35 °C. Córdoba, Zaragoza, Toledo and Murcia could reach 33C, while several other provincial capitals will sit close to 30C.
The change will feel sharper because Spain has just come out of a cooler spell. Cadena SER reported earlier this week that AEMET expected values close to summer levels from Wednesday onwards, with the highest temperatures likely later in the week.
A mostly stable day, but not everywhere is clear
Most of Spain will see clear skies or high cloud, with the anticyclone keeping rain away from much of the country.
There will still be some low cloud in the far north, along Mediterranean coastal areas and in the Balearic Islands. This should tend to clear during the day. In mountain areas, especially the eastern Pyrenees, isolated showers are possible and could be locally heavy.
AEMET’s warning map also showed low-level warnings for rain in Ampurdán-Girona, where 20mm could fall in an hour, and warnings for storms in parts of Teruel, including Gúdar and Maestrazgo.
Calima, fog and travel visibility
The weather will not be only about heat. AEMET also expects morning fog banks in parts of northern Spain and around the Alborán area.
RTVE reports that suspended dust may move into the far south of mainland Spain and the eastern Canary Islands. This could bring hazier skies and reduced visibility in some areas.
For drivers and ferry passengers, the main thing is to check local conditions before setting off. In most areas, however, the day should be stable and dry.
Thursday and Friday could feel more like July
The heat is expected to build further as the week goes on.
AEMET forecasts reported by RTVE point to “full summer” maximum temperatures on Thursday across the Peninsula and Balearics. Some south-western valleys and parts of the Ebro valley could reach 36 °C to 38 °C.
Cadena SER, citing AEMET spokesperson Rubén del Campo, reported that Friday could be the hottest day of the week, with Badajoz possibly reaching 39 °C and Sevilla 38 °C. More than half of Spain could be above 30 °C.
First tropical nights may arrive
The most uncomfortable change may come overnight.
Cadena SER reported that the first tropical nights of the year could affect parts of Spain from Thursday into the following mornings. Tropical nights are those where temperatures do not fall below 20 °C.
Possible areas include Almería, Cádiz, Sevilla, Granada, Jaén, Cáceres, Ciudad Real, Madrid and Toledo. This matters because warm nights make it harder for homes to cool down, especially in city centres and older buildings.
A split picture for Spain
Not all of Spain will feel the same heat. The Cantabrian coast and parts of the north will remain much cooler.
A Coruña and Santander are expected to stay around 20 °C on Wednesday, according to Cadena SER’s summary of AEMET forecasts. That contrast between the north coast and inland Spain is typical in late spring, but this week the difference will feel especially marked.
For visitors, it is another reminder that Spain’s weather can vary dramatically from one region to another. A suitcase packed for Bilbao may look very different from one packed for Sevilla.
Why this early heat matters
Late May often brings warmer weather in Spain, but sudden jumps can still catch people out.
Many homes have not yet switched to summer routines. Schools, workplaces and outdoor terraces may also be adjusting after a cooler spell. The first hot episode of the season can feel harder on the body than similar temperatures later in summer.
This week’s conditions also come before Spain’s highest-risk heat months. That makes it a useful moment to start checking fans, air conditioning, shaded routes, water supplies and travel plans.
Spain heads towards a hot end to the week
Wednesday brings the first strong rise, but Thursday and Friday are likely to be hotter. For most readers, the practical message is simple: plan outdoor activity earlier or later in the day, keep an eye on AEMET warnings, and expect the heat to become more noticeable before the weekend.