Premature and persistent heatwave of midsummer that will last for many days

BarcelonaCatalonia has reached or exceeded 35 °C for the first time this year this Friday, and even 36°C has already been recorded in very localized areas, notably 36.1°C in Seròs (Segrià). Several municipalities in Ponent and the southern interior have surpassed this mark of 35°C, such as Torroja del Priorat, Albesa (Noguera) or Alcarràs, Alfarràs and Gimenells (Segrià). A premature heatwave that has caused, once again, the full summer atmosphere to arrive several weeks early. We expect a weekend with a fully summery atmosphere and highs around 35°C in the warmest areas of the country and the first tropical nights. On the coast, the mercury will be clearly more restrained and some fog or low clouds will appear, but it will be more muggy.

And the maps predict that this exceptionally warm episode will extend for a large part of next week, with values up to 10 degrees above average in some cases. A heatwave that will also strongly hit the rest of Western Europe, especially the Iberian southwest, western France, and southern the United Kingdom. We will see if some heat records are reached in a May month.

We have a mass of warm air, the anticyclonic ridge over our heads and many hours of intense solar radiation, a perfect combination for temperatures to skyrocket. You will need to dress in very summery clothes and sunglasses. But above all, seek shade and protect yourself with sunscreen, as the sun can burn our skin very easily at this time of year. A forecast of sun and heat that is also valid for Monday, a holiday for many people.

Saturday: summer atmosphere

The weekend will start with a very mild morning, and the heat will be intense throughout Saturday. Many highs of 28 to 33 °C are expected in the pre-coastal area, inland, and in the Pyrenean and Pre-Pyrenean valleys. However, towards Ponent and the Ebro valley, 35 °C will be reached or occasionally exceeded. On the other hand, on the coast, the mercury will be more restrained due to the influence of a still cool sea and the possibility of some local fog or low clouds. In this area, highs will range between 23 and 27 °C. In any case, full summer heat and justice everywhere.

All this with radiant sun and overall anticyclonic calm. Only some fog or low clouds may appear in stretches of the coast that will suddenly curb the mercury and give a sensation of spring freshness that will contrast with the intense heat of the rest of the country. Therefore, those who plan to spend the weekend at the beach may encounter surprises. Cumulonimbus clouds will also grow in the Pyrenees that, at most, will leave some local showers.

Sunday: relentless heat

The last day of the weekend will continue to be marked by this exceptional heatwave, with minimum and maximum temperatures very similar to Saturday's. Clear skies and bright sun in general, with the possibility again of some fog or low clouds on the coast, as well as afternoon clouds in the Pyrenees that could leave some local showers or thunderstorms in this area.

The latest maps from different meteorological models indicate that the heat could even peak next week, with maximum temperatures of up to 37 °C in Ponent. We will probably not reach heat records, 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 average.