Spain is bracing for another wave of intense heat as forecasts predict temperatures will soar past 40 degrees Celsius in numerous regions, extending the hot weather through the weekend. The national meteorological agency has issued orange heat alerts effective until Friday, with temperatures in Madrid and parts of southern Spain expected to hit 42C. The inland areas of Andalusia are set to bear the brunt of this heat, with temperatures anticipated to peak between 42C and 43C.
Among the areas most affected are Córdoba and Sevilla. Córdoba is anticipated to experience temperatures around 43C on Thursday, maintaining a near 40C mark on Friday. The province remains under a yellow heat warning, with the expectation that these unusually high temperatures will persist into the early part of next week. Meanwhile, the Campiña Sevillana in Sevilla is under an orange alert, with forecasts suggesting the mercury could climb to 41C during the afternoon and evening hours.
Elsewhere in Spain, temperatures are projected to reach or exceed 40C in regions such as Badajoz, Cáceres, Córdoba, Sevilla, Granada, Jaén, Zaragoza, Lleida, Logroño, and Toledo. Much of mainland Spain is likely to see temperatures surpassing 34C, while Mallorca could experience highs over 35C. Southern parts of Spain, as well as the Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands, are expected to have warm nights, with minimum temperatures not dropping below 25C in some areas.
This heatwave is attributed to a very warm air mass that is currently over mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. The extreme conditions are also heightening the risk of wildfires, with some regions facing severe fire danger. Although a gradual decline in temperatures is anticipated in some areas after Friday, the overall heat is expected to linger throughout the weekend. In contrast, northern coastal areas are forecasted to remain significantly cooler, with temperatures generally staying in the mid-20s.