Spain Braces for a Second Summer Heatwave

AEMET warned on Friday that a second heatwave will begin Sunday and last at least until Tuesday. Forecasts call for maximum temperatures of 38–40 °C in the Minho valley, 39–41 °C across the southwestern quadrant, and up to 42 °C in river valleys. Monday, 6 July, is projected as the hottest day, with possible peaks of 44 °C on Tuesday in the eastern Cantabrian area and the Ebro valley. A potential upper-level depression (“dana”) may moderate conditions on Wednesday, after which temperatures are expected to fall from Thursday onward.

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The upcoming episode follows a June heatwave that the Ministry of Health’s MoMo monitoring system estimates caused nearly 900 deaths. AEMET defines a heatwave as temperatures exceeding the 95th percentile by a large margin, persisting for at least three days, and affecting more than 10 % of national territory. Preliminary calculations indicate the new event will satisfy all three criteria.

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AEMET issued an orange heatwave alert for Seville, Huelva and Jaén, and a yellow alert for Cádiz and Granada. The General Directorate of Emergencies of the Canary Islands government declared a forest-fire risk alert for Gran Canaria and Tenerife from Sunday, moving the eastern province to orange status by Tuesday while the remaining islands stay on yellow. In Andalusia, the INFOCA wildfire plan remains active at pre-alert level, reflecting continued fire vigilance.

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The agency’s special notice highlights the southwestern quadrant, the Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys, the Ebro valley, and north-eastern depressions as zones of highest risk. Inland Galicia, the southern plateau, the eastern Cantabrian coast, and the Balearic Islands also face elevated temperatures, with Mallorca expected to reach 36–38 °C. Minimum temperatures will hover between 20–26 °C, with nighttime peaks of 27–28 °C, producing “tropical nights” across much of the country.

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Public-health specialists warn that sustained high nighttime temperatures impede rest and increase heat-related morbidity, especially for vulnerable groups. The combination of extreme daytime heat and tropical nights heightens health concerns. Wildfire risk remains acute: the Bisbal d’Empordá fire could be aggravated by 44 °C conditions, and the Canary Islands’ forest-fire alert underscores heightened danger across the archipelago.

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Temperatures are expected to stay above 39–40 °C in the southwest, southern plateau, Ebro valley, and inland southeast on Wednesday, pending the influence of a possible “dana.” Forecast models indicate a cooling trend beginning Thursday, with alerts to be updated dynamically as conditions evolve.

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