New Heatwave Arrives, High Temperatures to Last for Days
Although Spain’s traditional hottest period (usually ending around August 15th) is nearing its end, a new wave of extreme heat is sweeping the country. According to a forecast from the meteorological service Meteored on August 12, 2026, a strengthening high-pressure ridge is causing a very hot air mass to gather over the Iberian Peninsula, leading to a significant temperature rise across most of Spain in the coming days, with the heatwave showing no signs of abating.
Temperatures are expected to climb gradually from the middle of this week, peaking on Wednesday and Thursday. The main areas affected by this heatwave are concentrated in the central, southern, and northeastern regions of Spain.
13 Autonomous Communities Under Heat Warning
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) plans to issue various levels of heat warnings for 13 autonomous communities across the country on Wednesday. Parts of Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Navarre, and La Rioja will be under an orange alert for high temperatures.
Meanwhile, parts of the Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, and the Basque Country will be under a yellow alert. The provinces of Córdoba, Jaén, Seville, Ciudad Real, Toledo, Badajoz, and Cáceres are expected to be the hottest areas in the country, with maximum temperatures reaching or exceeding 40°C. Additionally, the Murcia region will be on a yellow alert for potential afternoon thunderstorms.
Peak Heat on Thursday, with Local Temperatures Reaching 43°C
The peak of this heatwave is expected on Thursday, with the highest temperatures concentrated in the southern and inland areas of Spain. Maximum temperatures are forecast to climb to 43°C in the Guadalquivir Valley, while the Ebro Valley will see temperatures approaching 41°C.
In inland Andalusia, Extremadura, and other parts of Castilla-La Mancha, temperatures are generally expected to be around 40°C. Meanwhile, temperatures will also exceed 35°C in the high plateau (Meseta) and parts of the eastern interior, demonstrating the wide extent of this heatwave.
Increase in ‘Scorching Nights’ and ‘Tropical Nights’
The high daytime temperatures are also carrying over into the night, making it difficult to cool down. Several regions will experience ‘scorching nights’ (noches tórridas), where the minimum nighttime temperature remains at or above 25°C. The minimum temperatures in Valencia, Alicante, and Murcia may stay above 25°C, with similar conditions possible in Málaga, Almería, and Mallorca. Barcelona’s minimum temperature is also expected to not drop below 24°C.
By Friday, although the intensity of the heat will decrease in the northern and western regions of Spain, most of the country will still face ‘tropical nights’ (noches tropicales), defined as nights where the minimum temperature does not fall below 20°C. The minimum nighttime temperatures along the Mediterranean coast and in the Balearic Islands are expected to hover around 25°C.
High Temperatures Accompanied by Suspended Dust
In addition to the high temperatures, the weather conditions in the coming days are also conducive to the arrival of suspended dust in Spain. The dust is expected to first affect the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula and could potentially spread further north, impacting air quality.
