The Spanish weather service Aemet has issued a heatwave warning. It affects the whole of Spain until next Monday, with the exception of the Cantabrian region and much of Galicia.
Very warm air from North Africa, combined with the strength of the sun, will lead to a gradual rise in temperatures.
Maximum and minimum temperatures will reach values far above normal for this time of year in much of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Aemet has issued a special heatwave warning. Only the Cantabrian region and much of Galicia will remain unaffected by the extreme heat.
Over 40ºC in parts of Spain
On Wednesday, temperatures rose above 35ºC in large parts of the south and centre of the peninsula, in the Ebro Valley and Balearic Islands. In the Guadalquivir valley the temperature was around 40ºC. From Thursday to Sunday, maximum temperatures throughout the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, with the exception of Galicia and Cantabria, will be above 35ºC. In large parts of the south and centre of the peninsula and in the Ebro Valley, temperatures could even exceed 40ºC, with some reaching 42-44ºC.
Warm nights, chance of thunderstorms
The nights also remain warm, with temperatures around 25ºC in the hottest areas. In the rest it will stay around 20ºC at night. This heat wave is likely to be accompanied by dust particles and sand, as a result of the long journey the air mass has made through the Sahara desert. Until Thursday there is a chance of thunderstorms in parts of eastern Spain. They may be accompanied by powerful wind gusts.
It is expected that on Friday the warm air from Africa will also reach the Canary Islands. This will lead to a significant rise in temperature there and herald the start of a heat wave. From Sunday or Monday, temperatures are expected to drop from the northwest of Spain. This could mean the end of the heatwave on the peninsula and Balearic Islands.
Want to know the best way to get through the heatwave? Read it here.
