Dominion of the sun and heat before the warm peak of the episode

BarcelonaThe mass of warm air over the Iberian Peninsula has been leaving us with an atmosphere more typical of early July than May for days, but this week it will reach its peak, with a warm spell that will leave values approaching 38 °C in Ponent and transport us directly to August. All this, moreover, with many hours of very intense sun that will only be disturbed by the presence of some afternoon clouds in the Pyrenees. At the end of this information you will find a summary of this heatwave and a comparison with the usual temperature at the end of May, far from the current records.

Tuesday: no changes

The week will progress with weather similar to Monday's, marked by the presence of sunshine that will continue to contribute to very unusual temperature values in the middle of May. During the early morning and first hours of the morning, the exception will be found in the Ebro Delta, where fog banks will form and dissipate quickly with the sun's warmth. The midday and afternoon will again be summery, with highs of 30 °C to 35 °C inland, more moderated on the coast.

Wednesday: thermal rise

It will be towards Wednesday when the temperature will rise again with force, after a Tuesday of thermal stability. The mercury will rise everywhere, especially inland, and it will already reach 35 °C or 36 °C in Ponent and will exceed 30 °C throughout the interior and in some coastal points. Very warm atmosphere, still with little humidity, and growth of some afternoon clouds in the Pyrenean regions.

More heat mid-week, with highs in Ponent of up to 38 °C

The latest maps from the different meteorological models indicate that the heat could even peak mid-week, with maximums of up to 37 °C or 38 °C in Ponent. Heat records will probably not be reached, as we are coming from very warm recent months of May. But we will have to see if the persistence of the heatwave becomes extraordinary, as we are talking about many consecutive days with values well above the average.

Remember that with these heatwaves it is important to seek shade and protect yourself with sunscreen, as the sun can burn our skin very easily at this time of year. The radiation is as intense as in July, and therefore it is necessary to use sun protection for the skin and a cap if we have to be exposed for a long time under the sun.

Summary of an exceptional heatwave

The temperature we have been recording for days is exceptional, both for the positive anomaly it represents with respect to normal values and for the persistence of the heat, which has already lasted many days and is still going strong. For now, the maximums last Friday stand out, with 36.1 °C in Seròs, 35.8 °C in Alcarràs and 35.6 °C in Alfarràs.