Spain Faces a New Heatwave
Spain’s National Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has forecast that a new heatwave will affect most of the country starting this Tuesday, August 11. A total of 11 autonomous communities have issued heat alerts of varying levels, with daytime maximum temperatures widely expected to exceed 35°C, and some areas potentially reaching over 40°C.
11 Autonomous Communities Under Heat Alert
The heatwave has a wide reach, with the 11 autonomous communities on alert including: Andalusia, Aragon, Balearic Islands, Castile and León, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid, Navarre, and La Rioja.
The region of Andalusia is one of the most affected areas, with provinces such as Córdoba, Granada, Jaén, and Seville impacted. In particular, the Guadalquivir Valley is expected to see temperatures once again break the 40°C mark.
High Temperatures Across Central and Northeastern Spain
Central Spain is also blanketed by the heat. In the Community of Madrid, the mountains, metropolitan area, Henares region, as well as the southern, valley, and western areas are all under alert. The neighboring Castilla-La Mancha region faces high temperatures in Albacete, Cuenca, Guadalajara, and Toledo. Cáceres in Extremadura has also issued a persistent heat warning.
In the northeast, high temperatures are affecting Huesca, Teruel, and Zaragoza in Aragon, as well as Lleida in Catalonia. The Ebro Valley in Navarre and La Rioja is also experiencing intense heat. Additionally, the holiday destination of the Balearic Islands and parts of Lugo and Ourense in Galicia have not been spared.
High Nighttime Temperatures and Spreading ‘Torrid Nights’
In addition to the daytime swelter, nighttime temperatures are also remaining high. AEMET has indicated that minimum overnight temperatures will continue to rise in central, northern, and northwestern Spain. In the southeast and the islands, the phenomenon of ‘tropical nights’ (where minimum temperatures do not fall below 20°C) will persist.
More significantly, some areas along the Mediterranean coast may experience ‘torrid nights’ (noches tórridas), where minimum temperatures do not drop below 25°C all night. This makes it difficult for the body to cool down, posing a challenge to getting proper rest.
Catalonia on Alert for Thunderstorms and Hail
Unlike the hot and sunny weather in most regions, the Community of Catalonia is set to experience complex weather conditions. The provinces of Barcelona, Girona, and Lleida have issued alerts for rain and thunderstorms, with a significantly increased risk of strong convective weather, especially in the afternoon and evening.
The forecast indicates that the eastern Pyrenees and the areas around the northern and eastern mountains of Catalonia are of particular concern. AEMET predicts that some thunderstorms could be strong or even severe, potentially accompanied by hail and strong wind gusts.
