Extreme heat alert for much of the country tomorrow

BarcelonaToday, temperatures have already exceeded 38 ºC near the Pre-Pyrenees and 39 ºC in Ponent, and the episode of intense heat and mugginess we are experiencing this week will experience a sudden peak this Wednesday. The strengthening of the re-heated wind from the southwest and west will suddenly shoot up temperatures in many regions, especially on the coast, pre-coast, Ebre, and Central Catalonia. Extreme wind and heat that will increase the risk of fire and poor conditions in the forests. It will be a scorching day, with highs reaching or exceeding 40 ºC in many parts of the pre-coast, Central Catalonia, Ponent, and the Ebre valley, as well as 35 ºC on the coast. Meteocat has activated the alert for intense heat in a large part of the country, with a red alert – the highest possible – on the coast of Barcelona.

The hottest day of the week

The peak of temperatures we will have this Wednesday due to the warm wind will leave up to 40 ºC or more in little accustomed areas, such as the coast of Barcelona, the northeast interior and Central Catalonia. Figures that will also be registered in Ponent and the Ebro interior, where even 42 or 43 ºC can be reached or exceeded. On the coast there will be many values from 31 to 36 ºC, locally higher on the Barcelona coast.

In addition to the suffocating daytime atmosphere, the night will also be warm, with many tropical minimums throughout the territory. Torrid minimums – above 25 ºC – will be repeated in parts of the coast, the south and Ponent. Meteocat has activated the alert for nocturnal heat in many counties.

All this, with a sky that will remain hazy due to the presence of suspended dust and the passage of some high and medium cloud bands. The wind will blow moderately, with strong gusts in elevated areas, and even very strong and from the south at high altitudes in the Pyrenees. In the afternoon, some mud showers or drizzles are not ruled out in the southern interior of the country.

Thursday the temperature drops

Starting Thursday, we will leave behind Wednesday's torrid peak and temperatures will drop, although it will continue to be very hot and humid, with warm nights in many regions. Nevertheless, 40 ºC will be reached again in Ponent. The thermal descent will continue on Friday and over the weekend, but always with values above average.

This third official heatwave is different from the previous one, as it is characterized by a lot of humidity, suspended dust, and less extreme values than in previous episodes, except for Wednesday. On Thursday, afternoon showers and thunderstorms will increase in parts of the Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, Ports, and nearby areas. However, for now, no clear change in the meteorological pattern is seen that will bring us a significant cooling or rain.