Spain endures its second heatwave of the year, with record temperatures in sight

After the hottest April on record with temperatures of 38.8C and 44C seen as early as June this year, this week’s heatwave could even reach the current record in Spain, which was 47.6C in the Córdoba province in 2021. Forecasts suggest that areas of the southern Guadalquivir Valley, around Córdoba and Seville, could reach 46C to 47C.

The mercury is also set to reach 46-48C in and around ​​Jaén in the south of the country. 

Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has forecast’significantly high’ temperatures in a large part of the peninsula, the Balearic Islands, with the exception of the northwest, such as Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria, and the eastern coast along the Mediterranean.  

Heat alerts have been activated in more than 30 provinces in 12 regions, with Córdoba and Jaén in red, indicating extreme risk. Provinces on orange alert or a significant risk level include Cádiz, Granada, Málaga, Seville, the Balearic Islands, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Toledo, Badajoz, Cáceres, Madrid and Albacete.

Huesca, Teruel, Zaragoza, Ávila, Burgos, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, Zamora, Barcelona, ​​Girona, Lleida, Murcia, Navarra, La Rioja, Alicante and Valencia all have a yellow warning.

AEMET has also forecast tropical nights, with night-time temperatures remaining above 25C. This will be likely in the areas of the Guadalquivir Valley, on the coasts of Granada and Almería, and in parts of Mallorca. The heatwave could last until Thursday 13 July.

Spain is in the midst of a serious drought, the worst the country has seen in decades, and the heatwave is expected to make the situation worse with water restrictions in some areas. 

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