August heat record at the Fabra Observatory in 112 years

BarcelonaThe scorching peak of this second heat wave of the summer will reach its peak this Sunday, when Meteocat maintains the maximum level activated for intense heat in practically all the regions of Tarragona and in the Alt Empordà, where temperatures will once again reach 40 °C and even exceed 40 °C. As already occurred today, temperatures could reach 43 °C inland in the Terres de l'Ebre and, at times, they can reach 44 °C.

As for maximum records, this Saturday saw some record values, such as the 38.8 °C registered in Malgrat de Mar (two and a half degrees higher than the absolute maximum ever recorded at this observatory). At some observatories in Barcelona and Baix Llobregat, temperatures have exceeded or equaled the highest ever recorded, and in regions such as Alt Penedès and Terres de l'Ebre, they have reached almost 43°C, which is just a few tenths of a second short of the record for the absolute maximum temperature in August. At the Fabra Observatory in Barcelona, 38.9°C was recorded (manual station), the absolute record for August in a 112-year series (you will find all the data at the end of this information).

Civil Protection maintains the Procicat plan alert activated due to this incident. The risk of forest fires remains very high, and will be particularly high this Sunday, as dry, overheated winds will blow, lowering humidity in most regions.

Sunday: Red-hot night on the coast and highs soaring everywhere

The next morning will be a very difficult night for sleeping on the coast, where temperatures could be scorching hot (minimum temperatures of 30°C or higher). Sleeping will be difficult in many regions at night, as tropical or torrid lows will be expected.

On Sunday, temperatures will rise slightly further and reach their peak, especially on the southern coast and pre-coast, due to the westerly wind. A moderate, warming wind will be noticeable in many places, lowering the humidity. In the Empordà region and other areas in the north of the country, this wind will blow from the north.

Many highs of 35°C to 40°C are expected, but in the West, inland Ebro, and Priorat, temperatures could again exceed 42°C or 43°C, and even reach or exceed 44°C on rare occasions. In the Tremp basin, in the western Pre-Pyrenees, in the Pla de Bages region, as well as inland and pre-coastal areas of the Valencian Community, temperatures are expected to reach 44°C. Meteocat extends intense heat alerts across the country, with a red warning in much of the Tarragona region and in the Alt Empordà region. A very sweltering day that will be generally sunny, with haze and suspended dust.

Next week: end of the heat wave and more bearable heat

Monday will be the last day of the heat wave, but temperatures won't rise as much as they did on Monday. The drop in temperature will be more noticeable starting Tuesday, especially in the days following. Temperatures will begin to normalize after being about eight degrees above average these past few days. Therefore, the maps are confirming this cooling off, which will make us breathe much easier, both day and night.

What is clear is that this year we will have recorded more days reaching or exceeding 40°C compared to previous years.

This change in weather will be associated with an influx of cold air from high altitude, which will bring showers and thunderstorms, especially in the Pyrenees, the Pre-Pyrenees, and central Catalonia.

Friday's heat report:

This past Friday, temperatures rose further, especially in inland regions. After a pause of 40°C over the past two days, temperatures were reached again and exceeded in the southern interior of the country. The 42.6°C recorded in Vinebre (Ribera d'Ebre) stood out as the highest figure of the day in the entire country. The atmosphere was stifling throughout the country, with many highs of 33°C to 38°C, outside the hottest areas. This Friday marked the 14th day this summer that a measuring point in the Meteocat Network of Automatic Meteorological Stations has exceeded 40°C. Seven in June, two in July, and five in the first half of August. This year, it equals the year with the most days of 40°C recorded at a Meteocat station so far. These are Friday's highest highs:

• 42.6 °C: Vinebre
• 41.6 °C: Aldover
• 41.1 °C: El Masroig
• 41.1 °C: Torroja del Priorat
• 41 °C: Ribarroja reservoir
• 40.6 °C: Ascó
• 40.6 °C: Benissanet
• 40.5 °C: Tortosa (Roquetas)
• 40 °C: Cabacés
• 39.7 °C: Siurana reservoir
• 39.3 °C: Seròs
• 39.3 °C: Gandesa

Saturday's maximum temperatures recorded:

• 42.9 ºC: Vinebre
• 42.3 ºC: El Masroig (4 tenths below the absolute maximum of 42.7 ºC, on 08/12/2022)
• 42.3 ºC: Torroja del Priorat
• 41.7 ºC: Ribarroja reservoir
• 41.1 ºC: San Sadurní de Anoia
• 40.4 ºC: Espolla
• 39.7 ºC: El Prat de Llobregat (equal to the record of 39.7 ºC on 08/23/2023)
• 39.4 ºC: Lleida - La Fenosa
• 38.9 ºC: Barcelona - Fabra Observatory, manual station (exceeds the record of 38.5 ºC of 08/23/2023).
• 38.8 ºC: Malgrat de Mar (exceeds the record of 36.3 ºC of 08/05/2018)
• 37.4 ºC: the Rascler - Garraf Natural Park (exceeds the record of 36.7 ºC of 08/23/2023)