Lull in intense heat and more showers at the weekend

BarcelonaThe heat peak this Thursday in the interior of the country has left maximums of up to 40 ºC or more in Ponent and the southern interior of the country. Outstanding are the extraordinary 43.2 ºC maximums recorded in Vinebre (Ribera d'Ebre), 42.2 ºC in Torroja del Priorat, or 41.7 ºC in Ascó (Ribera d'Ebre). An increase that has not been noticed on the coast, where the intense heat and stuffiness of recent days has continued. But while in some regions the thermometer has reached its peak, in the Pyrenees the afternoon storms have been stronger and more widespread than expected, the result of the same accumulated extreme heat. These precipitations have left little notable records, but they have suddenly cooled the atmosphere and have been accompanied in some cases by hail or sleet. Some of the showers have also reached the north of the Girona regions.

This Friday, thermometers will drop inland, although it will still be very hot because the heat will remain intense, with values above what is normal. It should be noted that the Can Bruixa and Raval stations in the city of Barcelona have already accumulated 30 and 28 torrid nights this summer, an absolute record since data has been collected 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 warm 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 can 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 scorching peak in the interior of the country, the next night will be warmer overall. Tropical minimums will spread strongly through several regions, and scorching minimums will be repeated in points on the coast and in the south, without ruling out some in Ponent.

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 stuffiness, while in the Pyrenees the thermometer will still rise a little, especially in the western part. Many values of 33 ºC to 38 ºC are expected in the pre-coastal area and the interior, but 40 ºC will still be approached in points of Ponent and the Ebro valley. Meteocat maintains alerts for intense heat in some regions 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, the Ebro, the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees – especially Lleida – and perhaps on the coast. Little, but however little it rains, the water will be accompanied by mud.

More breathable and busy weekend

The arrival of a cooler air mass from the Atlantic will open the door to northerly winds and a clear cooling. Thermometers will generally drop and, after many weeks, will normalize, especially between Sunday and Monday. Saturday will already show 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 dog days of summer, the extreme heat we have recently experienced will give way to more bearable and breathable heat, with the highest highs between 28 ºC and 33 ºC from Sunday onwards.

Nighttime temperatures will also drop, and cooler, more pleasant nights are expected, 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 with enthusiasm in the afternoons, leaving locally strong showers and thunderstorms accompanied by hail or sleet. They will mainly affect parts of the Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, Ports, pre-coastal areas, and the northeastern interior. Let's take advantage of this respite, as by mid-week the heat will increase again.