Else Beekman
MADRID – Spanish summers are known for their heat, but recently, records have been broken in various parts of the country. With temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius and stifling nights with minimums above 25 degrees, it has been a challenging time for many.
However, good news is on the horizon as the third heatwave is expected to come to an end this week. According to information from the Spanish weather agency Aemet, lower temperatures are generally anticipated from Thursday, along with the arrival of a DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) in the north. After enduring the extreme heat from the “short but very intense heatwaves,” Aemet spokesperson Ruben del Campo predicts some relief in the coming days, as more normal heat will take its place.
Durante la última semana de julio (sobre todo los primeros días) el calor dará una tregua en la mayor parte del país, con temperaturas inferiores a lo normal para la época, salvo en el Mediterráneo e islas. No esperamos apenas lluvias, salvo en el Cantábrico y alguna tormenta. pic.twitter.com/lva5T0w9AH
— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) July 21, 2023
General drop in temperatures
From Thursday, temperatures are expected to decrease across much of the country, and this drop is likely to continue through Friday. The influence of high-pressure systems will diminish, allowing cooler and more pleasant air to prevail. In much of the country, except for the Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands, temperatures are forecasted to be below normal for this time of year, with values 5 to 10 degrees below average. Northern Spanish cities such as Vitoria or Oviedo will experience maximum temperatures of around 20 degrees.
Also read: Number of heatwaves in Spain doubled in ten years
Thursday will also see the arrival of some fronts from the Atlantic Ocean, which may bring storms and thunderstorms to certain areas, particularly in the north of the country and in Catalonia.
Warning of wind gusts
Meteored goes even further by cautioning about thermal eruptions with strong gusts of wind in the interior and southeast of the country. These wind gusts, at times exceeding speeds of 100 – 120 kilometers per hour, can cause significant damage. Additionally, the risk of forest fires is very high due to the combination of lightning strikes and prevailing drought conditions.
In the rest of the country, particularly the central and southern regions, the weather will remain stable with temperatures hovering around 35 degrees Celsius. However, this cooling period will be temporary, as temperatures are expected to rise again to normal levels at the beginning of August.