Lull in intense heat and more showers this weekend
The temperatures will clearly drop and the atmosphere will be more pleasant, both during the day and at night
BarcelonaYesterday's heat peak in the interior of the country left maximums of up to 40 ºC or more in Ponent and the southern interior of the country. The extraordinary maximum of 43.2 ºC recorded in Vinebre (Ribera d’Ebre), 42.2 ºC in Torroja del Priorat, or 41.7 ºC in Ascó (Ribera d'Ebre) stand out. But while in some regions the thermometer hit its peak, in the Pyrenees the afternoon storms were stronger and more widespread than expected, a result of the same extreme heat accumulated. These precipitations left little remarkable records, but they suddenly cooled the atmosphere and were accompanied in some cases by hail or sleet. The 21 l/m² accumulated in Sant Joan de les Abadesses (Ripollès) stand out. The showers also reached the rest of the north of the Girona regions.
This Friday, thermometers will drop inland, although it will still be necessary to sweat profusely because the heat will remain quite intense, with values above what would be expected. It should be noted that the stations of Can Bruixa and El Raval in the city of Barcelona have already accumulated 30 and 28 torrid nights this summer, an absolute record since data has been available at this point in the summer.
It will be from the weekend when the arrival of a cooler air mass from the Atlantic will sweep away the bubble of hot North African air that has been accompanying us for so many days. Therefore, temperatures will clearly drop and normalize, especially from Sunday, with very bearable heat during the day and cooler, more pleasant nights. For example, on Sunday, maximums will be between 5 and 10 degrees lower than on Thursday inland and in the Pyrenees. Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will also increase, which could be strong in the north of the country. A respite from the intense heat that would last until the middle of next week.
Friday: less extreme heat
After Thursday's torrid peak in the interior of the country, the night has been warmer in general. Tropical minimums have spread strongly through several counties, and torrid minimums have recurred in parts of the coast and the south. On the other hand, in the Pyrenees and in parts of the northeast, the nocturnal coolness has been more evident thanks to yesterday afternoon's storms.
As for the maximums, they will begin to drop in the interior, although we are coming from so high up that the heat will continue to be very intense. On the coast there will be no changes, with marked mugginess, while in the Pyrenees the thermometer will still rise a little, especially in the west. Many values of 33 ºC to 38 ºC are expected in the pre-coastal areas and in the interior, but values around 40 ºC will still be reached in parts of Ponent and the Ebro valley. Meteocat maintains alerts for intense heat in some counties of Lleida on Friday, and on the southern coast on Saturday.
All in all, with radiant sun, suspended dust and afternoon clouds in mountainous areas that may leave some local showers in the Ports, Ebre, Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees – especially Lleida – and perhaps the pre-coastal area. Little, but however little it rains, the water will be accompanied by mud.
More breathable and eventful weekend
The arrival of a cooler air mass from the Atlantic will open the doors to the north wind and a clear cooling. Temperatures will generally drop and, after many weeks, will normalize, especially between Sunday and Monday. Saturday will already see a decrease, although on the southern coast there will be a warm peak due to the re-heated mistral wind.
Therefore, despite being in the middle of the heatwave, the extreme heat we have recently experienced will give way to more bearable and breathable heat, with the highest maximums between 28 ºC and 33 ºC from Sunday onwards.
Nighttime temperatures will also drop, and we can expect cooler and more pleasant nights, with tropical values only near the sea. Furthermore, the contrast between the cold air at altitude and so much accumulated heat will cause clouds to grow significantly in the afternoons, leaving localized heavy showers and thunderstorms accompanied by hail or sleet. These will mainly affect parts of the Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, Ports, coastal areas, and the northeastern interior. Let's take advantage of this respite, as the heat will increase again by mid-week.