Spain Issues Heat Alerts for Nine Regions, Orange Level in Six

Spain placed six regions under orange heat alerts on July 4 as forecasters predicted temperatures reaching 42°C in parts of Andalusia. Euronews reported that the orange level, indicating significant danger, applies across Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Galicia and Madrid.

Yellow warnings, signaling lower risk, remain in force in Aragon, Castile and León and the Valencian Community.

In Extremadura the orange alert covers the entire region with temperatures forecast around 40°C across almost all of its territory. The Tagus valley in Castilla-La Mancha faces maximum temperatures close to 40°C. In Andalusia the Guadalquivir valley in Jaén, the Sierra Morena and Condado district, the plains of Córdoba and Seville, and the Andévalo and coast of Huelva are the worst-hit areas, where readings could approach 42°C during the hottest hours.

Galicia also falls under an orange warning. Inland Ourense could reach 39°C while the Rías Baixas in Pontevedra and the southwest of A Coruña are expected to hover around 37°C. In Madrid the Sierra faces up to 37°C and the metropolitan area and Henares basin could reach 39°C.

Spain’s meteorological agency Aemet issued a special heatwave warning after temperatures began rising steadily at the start of the week. The current episode is expected to last at least until next Tuesday. Meteorologists noted that half of the twelve heatwaves recorded in June since 1975 have occurred since 2015.

The first heatwave of summer 2026, which lasted much of June, was linked to hundreds of heat-related deaths according to the Health Ministry’s monitoring system. Health authorities advise avoiding exercise and direct sun exposure in the middle of the day, staying well hydrated, and paying particular attention to older people, children and those with chronic illnesses.