Spain Expects Temperatures to Rise from Saturday, Third Heatwave of Summer Forecast

Spain’s State Meteorological Agency said temperatures will begin climbing on Saturday and intensify from Tuesday 22 July. The agency added that readings are unlikely to ease before at least Thursday 23 July and does not rule out Monday being added to the official heatwave period if data confirm it. The forecast marks the third heatwave of the summer.

An atmospheric blocking pattern reinforced by a cut-off low west of the peninsula will allow a mass of warm, dry air from North Africa, carrying suspended dust, to settle over much of Spain and the Balearic Islands. Temperatures will peak on Thursday, with possible local readings of 45°C or higher in the south-eastern third of the mainland.

Andalusia, the Ebro valley, the north-eastern depressions, the Genil basin and the interior of Mallorca are expected to record maximums above 40°C for several consecutive days.

Especially warm nights will prevent recovery from daytime heat, the agency said. It rated the danger level significant around midday, particularly for people working outdoors and for older residents or patients with cardiovascular conditions. The agency urged maximum precautions, especially on Thursday.

The risk of forest fires will reach extreme levels. Dry afternoon thunderstorms in mountain areas may produce lightning with little rain. A fire that began Wednesday near Orés in Zaragoza province has already burned about 15,400 hectares with a 60-kilometre perimeter.

Several towns remain evacuated. Vice president of the Aragon regional government Mar Vaquero said conditions on Saturday are somewhat more favourable than Friday, though shifting winds keep the situation complex. A second fire declared Thursday in the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara municipality of La Mierla has burned toward 6,000 hectares.