Lorraine Williamson
Temperatures could still reach 39°C in parts of Andalucía today, Saturday 5 September, with AEMET warnings covering Córdoba, Granada, Jaén and Seville.
The yellow warnings for high temperatures come after several days of unusually intense September heat across Spain. On Friday, AEMET recorded 41.5°C at Arroyo del Ojanco in Jaén, while La Roda de Andalucía in Seville reached 39.6°C.
Saturday should bring some relief across parts of the country, but the heat has not disappeared. In Andalucía, temperatures of up to 39°C are forecast in areas of Córdoba, Granada, Jaén and Seville, where yellow warnings remain in place.
September heat begins to ease across Spain
The latest change follows a spell of very high and persistent temperatures that prompted Spain’s Civil Protection authorities to issue a nationwide alert earlier this week.
The episode brought a mass of hot, dry air and suspended dust across much of the Peninsula and Balearic Islands. Temperatures climbed above 40°C in southern valleys, while unusually warm nights affected much of southern Spain and the Mediterranean coast.
Civil Protection had warned that the extreme heat would also push the wildfire danger back to extreme levels in some areas, with the possibility of dry afternoon thunderstorms adding to the risk.
The outlook is now changing. Authorities had forecast a more noticeable fall in temperatures in western Spain from Saturday, followed by cooler conditions in parts of the Cantabrian region and north-east on Sunday.
The heat is nevertheless expected to linger at less extreme levels rather than disappear immediately.
DANA brings a change in the weather
AEMET’s latest national forecast also points to increasing instability as a DANA approaches from the west. Cloudier conditions, showers and thunderstorms are possible in parts of the Peninsula as Spain moves away from the intense heat of recent days.
For anyone spending Saturday outdoors in the areas still affected by high temperatures, Civil Protection recommends limiting exposure to the sun, drinking water frequently and avoiding prolonged physical exercise during the hottest part of the day.
The change in weather will be closely watched over the remainder of the weekend, particularly where thunderstorms coincide with areas already facing a high wildfire risk.