Else Beekman
After an unusually cool and unsettled start to May, summer-like weather is finally on the horizon for much of Spain. Meteorologist Roberto Brasero has confirmed that the summer heat will begin to make its presence felt from the week starting 19 May.
Early May brought widespread instability across the Iberian Peninsula, with persistent rain, cloudy skies, and temperatures 3 to 5 degrees below seasonal norms. The interior and Mediterranean areas experienced the heaviest rainfall, while regions such as Catalonia and the Balearic Islands saw only isolated showers.
This unseasonable pattern has delayed the onset of late spring warmth. However, Brasero now forecasts a shift towards more stable, summery conditions.
Warmer days ahead
The transition will begin once the current Atlantic low-pressure systems move away and a high-pressure system becomes established over the peninsula and the Balearic Islands. From 19 May onwards, clearer skies and rising temperatures are expected across most of the country.
That said, cloud cover and localised downpours may still affect parts of north-western Spain, particularly Galicia. Afternoon showers could also develop in mountainous regions and parts of the northeast, including the Pyrenees and northern Balearics.
In the Canary Islands, cloudy skies and scattered showers are likely to persist, especially over higher ground. Morning fog could appear in the northern Meseta and Balearics.
Gradual rise in temperatures
While temperatures will rise, Brasero notes they will not yet reach extreme summer highs. Maximum temperatures will climb modestly, especially in the south and east, reaching 24 to 26°C in cities such as Málaga, Murcia and Seville. Elsewhere, particularly in the north and inland areas, temperatures will remain more moderate.
Brasero and other meteorologists expect minimum temperatures to fall slightly in eastern parts of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, with light frosts possible in some northern mountain areas.
A gentle start to summer
In summary, from 19 May Spain can expect the first signs of consistent summer weather. The shift won’t be abrupt, but rather a steady transition to warmer, drier days. While the heat will become noticeable, it is not expected to be oppressive, offering a welcome reprieve after weeks of springtime chill and rain.