According to Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the Canary Islands will be spared from the third heatwave of the summer. The region will experience a week characterized by the typical trade winds. The northern areas of the mountainous islands may see some clouds, while the rest of the region will have a partly cloudy sky. Coastal temperatures will range from 22ºC to 24ºC in the early morning and between 27ºC and 30ºC in the early afternoon. However, temperatures in the south of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura could exceed 32ºC.
On a national level, a third heatwave is expected to affect large areas of the eastern, central, and southern parts of the mainland, as well as the Balearic Islands. Temperatures will surpass 40ºC in many areas, reaching between 42ºC and 44ºC in the Ebro depression, the Empordà, the interior of Mallorca, and the Guadalquivir Valley. These temperatures are around 15ºC higher than the average for this time of year.
During the week, the Mediterranean coast and major cities in the interior of the mainland will experience sweltering nights with nighttime temperatures exceeding 25ºC. Forecasts indicate that the high temperatures in the first half of the week will be within 5% of the warmest temperatures recorded during the same period in the central, eastern, and southern parts of the mainland, as well as the Balearic Islands, based on 2020 data.
In response to this situation, orange alerts have been activated due to significant heat danger in many areas of Spain, with some regions, including Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands, issued red-level warnings indicating extreme danger. AEMET warns of a high risk of wildfires in the coming days and does not rule out the possibility of record-breaking maximum temperatures at the local level.
This heatwave will also affect other Mediterranean countries, including Spain. It is caused by a powerful anticyclone covering the central and western Mediterranean basin, which pushes warm air from North Africa towards Spain. The high atmospheric pressure creates stable conditions, resulting in clear skies without any cloud cover. Additionally, the warm air mass may carry suspended dust particles, potentially worsening air quality.
On Monday, temperatures are expected to range between 40ºC and 42ºC in many parts of Spain, with the Balearic Islands nearing 40ºC and the Guadalquivir Valley and nearby areas reaching up to 44ºC. Thunderstorms are also forecasted in the eastern interior, with possible showers and strong gusts of wind.
Tuesday will see further heat intensification, with an increase of up to 6ºC in the northeast, certain Mediterranean regions, and the Balearic Islands due to southwesterly winds. However, cooler winds in the Guadalquivir and Guadiana valleys will lead to a temperature drop. The central and eastern parts of the mainland, as well as the Balearic Islands, will experience very warm conditions, with temperatures ranging between 5ºC and 10ºC above normal. Many places will see temperatures between 38ºC and 42ºC, with the central depression of the Ebro, Aragon, Catalonia, and the Empordà reaching between 42ºC and 44ºC. Temperature records may be broken.
Tuesday morning will also bring hot conditions to Mediterranean coastal towns and major inland cities like Madrid, with temperatures not falling below 25ºC. Isolated thunderstorms are expected during the day, particularly in central and northeastern areas, especially in mountainous regions.
Wednesday will bring a temperature decrease to the northeastern part of the mainland due to northerly winds. Regions in the Basque Country, Navarre, and Aragon may experience up to a 10ºC drop compared to the previous day. While temperatures will slightly decrease in the rest of Spain, overheated winds in the southern Valencian Community, Andalusia, and the region of Murcia could cause a temperature increase. The central, western, and southern parts of the mainland, as well as the Balearic Islands, will continue to endure intense heat, with temperatures exceeding 40ºC in some areas and not dropping below 25ºC in the early morning. Conversely, temperatures in the Bay of Biscay are unlikely to exceed 25ºC.
Temperatures will continue to decline on Thursday and Friday, although some central, southern, and eastern regions of the mainland, as well as the Balearic Islands, will still experience hot weather with temperatures above 36ºC.
During the weekend, temperatures will rise again, and Sunday, coinciding with the elections, is expected to be hot. Most of Spain will experience stable and dry conditions, although isolated thunderstorms may occur in mountainous areas. Temperatures could surpass 35ºC in many regions, particularly in the northeast, central areas, the southern part of the mainland, and the Balearic Islands.
