Lorraine Williamson
Spain is enduring one of its fiercest heat waves in recent memory, with the national meteorological service AEMET confirming the extreme conditions will now last until Monday, 18 August. The south is worst hit, with Córdoba and Seville forecast to reach 45C on Sunday.
The heat is not confined to Andalucia. In Madrid, Zaragoza, Murcia and Badajoz, temperatures above 40C are expected to grip the weekend. Saturday’s forecasts include 44C in Córdoba, 43C in Seville, 42C in Badajoz and Zaragoza, and 40C in the capital.
By Sunday, conditions may intensify further. AEMET has warned of likely red alerts for Córdoba and Seville, while Zaragoza, Lleida, Murcia and Badajoz could exceed 41C. Cities such as Cáceres, Toledo, Ciudad Real, Granada, Albacete and Huesca are all on track to hit or pass 40C.
Why this heat wave is so severe
Meteorologists trace the suffocating heat to a DANA — a closed low-pressure system above the Azores. It is drawing hot air from North Africa directly across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearics. With little relief at night and a persistent southerly airflow, temperatures remain stubbornly high.
The Canary Islands are expected to escape the worst of the sweltering conditions. However, nearly all mainland regions face some level of heat warning through the weekend.
A changing climate
This heat wave began in early August and is now into its third week, making it one of the longest and most punishing on record in Spain. Scientists note the pattern is becoming familiar: wetter winters followed by prolonged dry and stifling summers. The trend, they warn, points to climate change reshaping Spain’s weather extremes.
With red warnings in place and temperatures peaking this weekend, authorities continue to urge people to avoid unnecessary travel, stay hydrated and seek shade where possible. If forecasts prove correct, Spain could be on the cusp of recording one of the longest continuous heat waves in its history.
Source: www.sport.es