Spain Issues Heatwave Warning, Especially for Galicia and Basque Country

Spain is bracing for its second heatwave of the summer, with the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) issuing a special warning for intense and persistent high temperatures starting Sunday and lasting at least until Tuesday.

The agency forecasts "very high and persistent temperatures" primarily affecting the southwestern quadrant, river valleys, and inland depressions. A significant temperature increase is expected in western Galicia over the weekend and in the Basque Country's interior on Monday and Tuesday. Aemet warns of "significant danger during the central hours" of the day, particularly for outdoor activities and vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with cardiovascular issues. Nights are also predicted to be very warm in large areas of the southwest and the Ebro Valley.

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The level of danger will increase significantly during the central hours of the day, especially for outdoor activities and for vulnerable people (advanced age, cardiovascular diseases...)

The heightened temperatures, combined with potential storms and strong gusts from Monday, along with accumulated water deficits, are expected to significantly increase the generalized fire risk to very high levels. While the current warning is set to expire Tuesday, Aemet acknowledges considerable uncertainty regarding the heatwave's duration and extent. Monday is anticipated to be the peak day, with further temperature rises in the eastern Cantabrian region, extending to the Ebro Valley and the Valencian Community. Spokesperson Rubén del Campo noted that temperatures could locally surpass 42 degrees Celsius in the Ebro Valley, Extremadura, and Andalusia, and reach 38 degrees in the Balearic Islands. Tropical nights, where temperatures do not drop below 25 degrees Celsius, are possible in Mediterranean, central, and southern areas. The warning applies to mainland Spain, though the Canary Islands will also experience rising temperatures, with highs of 35 degrees expected in southern Tenerife and Gran Canaria on Sunday.

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The peak of the episode is expected to see temperatures locally exceed 42 degrees in the Ebro Valley and also in areas of Extremadura and Andalusia, and 38 degrees in the Balearic Islands.