Premature and persistent midsummer heatwave that will last for many days

BarcelonaCatalonia reached or exceeded 35 °C yesterday for the first time this year, and even 36 °C was recorded in very localized areas, with 36.1 °C standing out in Seròs (Segrià). Several municipalities in Ponent and the southern interior 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. A weekend with a fully summery atmosphere awaits us, with 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.

The maps predict that this exceptionally warm spell 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 hit the rest of Western Europe hard, especially the Iberian Peninsula's southwest, western France, and southern the United Kingdom. We will see if some heat records are reached in the month of May.

We have a mass of warm air, the anticyclonic ridge above our heads and many hours of intense solar radiation, a perfect combination for temperatures to soar. You will need to dress in very summery clothes and wear 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 public holiday for many people.

Saturday: summer atmosphere

The weekend begins with a very mild morning atmosphere, and the heat will be intense today. Many highs of 28 to 33 °C are expected in the pre-coastal area, inland, and in the valleys of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees. However, towards Ponent and the Ebro valley, 35 °C will be reached or punctually 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 just the right amount of sun everywhere.

All in all with radiant sun and anticyclonic calm overall. Only some fogs or low clouds may appear in stretches of the coast (for example, on the Costa Brava) which will suddenly slow down the mercury and give a sensation of spring coolness 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. Cloudiness will also grow in the Pyrenees which, 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 radiant sun in general, with the possibility again of some fog or low clouds on the coast, as well as afternoon cloudiness in the Pyrenees that may leave some local showers or thunderstorms in this area, of short duration and low intensity.

The latest maps from different meteorological models indicate that the heat could even peak next week, with maximums of up to 37 °C in Ponent. Heat records will likely 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.