Lorraine Williamson
Spain is heading into a sharp spell of early summer heat, with temperatures climbing well above normal for late May before a more unsettled weekend reaches parts of the north-west.
The weather warnings in Spain currently centre on strong Levante winds in Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar. However, the wider picture is heat. Much of the country will feel more like July than late spring on Thursday and Friday.
According to the latest national forecast from AEMET, Thursday, 21 May will bring broadly stable weather across Spain, with mostly clear skies and rising temperatures. RTVE’s weather service says maximums could reach or exceed 34C to 36C in parts of the south-west, the north-east, the Cantabrian area and other inland zones.
What readers need to know
The main heat will be felt across inland Spain, especially in the south-west and north-east. Some northern areas will also see a noticeable rise in temperatures.
The strongest official warning signal is in Cádiz, where AEMET has activated yellow alerts for wind and coastal conditions linked to Levante winds. The Strait area may see gusts of up to 80km/h, while the Campiña gaditana could see gusts of around 70km/h.
For most of Spain, Thursday should remain dry and settled. The exception will be some cloud in coastal areas, early mist in parts of the north, and isolated weak showers over mountain areas later in the day.
Heat first, then a weekend change
Friday is expected to stay very warm for the time of year. RTVE reports that temperatures may again exceed 34C to 36C across wide areas, including the south-west, parts of the north-east, Galicia, the northern plateau and some Cantabrian zones.
The change is expected to come from the north-west. A nearby DANA may increase instability in Galicia and neighbouring areas from Friday afternoon into Saturday and Sunday.
That could bring showers and thunderstorms, locally strong in places. Hail is also possible in parts of Galicia, Asturias and nearby mountain areas, according to the weekend forecast.
Why the Levante wind matters
The Levante is a strong easterly wind that often affects the Strait of Gibraltar and the Cádiz coast. It can make sea conditions difficult and can also affect high-sided vehicles, motorhomes, ferries, port activity and exposed roads.
AEMET’s warning pages show yellow-level alerts in parts of Cádiz for wind and coastal conditions on Thursday. Yellow warnings do not usually mean extreme danger, but they do call for caution, especially for people driving, sailing or planning outdoor activities in exposed areas.
The warning covers a busy travel corridor between Cádiz, the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar. Anyone crossing the area should check local traffic and ferry updates before travelling.
How this affects residents and visitors
The heat is not forecast as a formal heatwave. Even so, late-May temperatures in the mid-30s can still catch people out.
Residents and visitors should avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day. It is also worth checking on older relatives, children and pets, particularly in inland areas where afternoon temperatures may rise quickly.
Travellers heading to Galicia, Asturias or northern mountain areas over the weekend should also keep an eye on storm updates. Mountain weather can change fast, and thunderstorms may arrive after a warm, bright start to the day.
A warmer pattern as summer approaches
Spain has already experienced increasingly warm springs in recent years. AEMET’s seasonal outlook for May, June and July 2026 points to a high probability of above-normal temperatures across the country.
That does not mean every week will be hot. However, it does make early-season heat episodes more important, especially for people planning travel, sport, outdoor work or long car journeys.