Spain is bracing for its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures set to exceed 40ºC from Friday through Sunday. The sweltering heat, which has already been felt in parts of the country, is expected to intensify as the week progresses.
Forecasters predict that the warm air mass currently over Spain will continue to rise in temperature over the coming days. According to AEMET this heatwave could potentially set new records, comparable to the highest temperatures recorded between 1991 and 2020. The current air mass is one of the warmest on record, both at higher altitudes and at ground level.
Durante los próximos días, una ola de calor afectará a buena parte del país, con temperaturas muy altas hasta, al menos, el domingo.
Temperaturas máximas previstas y su variación diaria 👉 pic.twitter.com/MAPoUuxeXs
— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) August 7, 2024
Extreme heat across the country
The second half of the week is expected to see some of the highest temperatures of the summer. The heatwave will extend through the weekend, with extreme heat particularly affecting the Guadalquivir, Guadiana, Tajo, and Ebro valleys, where temperatures will surpass 40ºC.
Areas under heat alerts
The Spanish weather service has issued orange level heat alerts for several regions, including Toledo, southern Madrid, Córdoba, Ciudad Real, Jaén, and southern Mallorca. On Wednesday, these areas will experience the brunt of the heat.
Widespread impact
Starting Thursday, the northern half of the country will see rising temperatures, spreading further by Friday. The high temperatures will particularly affect Ebro Valley, interior Catalonia, and the southern plateau. Night time temperatures will remain uncomfortably warm, with lows not dropping below 20ºC to 23ºC in many central, southern, and eastern regions.
Along the Mediterranean coast, where sea surface temperatures are approaching 30ºC, minimum temperatures may stay above 25ºC. This adds to the discomfort and highlights the widespread nature of the heatwave.
Looking ahead
From Thursday onwards, temperatures are expected to climb even higher, breaking the 40ºC mark in more areas by Sunday. Therefore, Sunday could be the hottest day of the week. This marks the beginning of a significant heatwave, meeting the necessary criteria of duration, extent, and intensity to be classified as such. Over the past few weeks, Spain has seen minimal relief from the heat, creating the impression of a continuous heatwave. The current forecast indicates that this pattern will persist, with the new heatwave starting Friday and extending through the weekend.