Heatwave of full summer without respite throughout the week

BarcelonaA new pocket of warm air from North Africa will keep the atmosphere fully summer-like throughout this new week, after highs of 36 or 37 ºC were already reached this weekend in Ponent and the southern interior. This hot air will lower atmospheric pressure and generate a small thermal low that will favor the formation of afternoon thunderstorms, especially in the Pyrenees. In fact, some already reappeared yesterday, accumulating up to 25 l/m² in La Bonaigua (2,200 m, Pallars Sobirà), 15 l/m² in Puigcerdà (Cerdanya), and 3 l/m² in Núria (Ripollès).

This week, thermometers will remain well above the usual average for this time of year, with values close to 37 ºC again expected in Ponent or the Ebro interior. In the rest of the territory, many highs between 30 and 35 ºC will be reached, even on the coast, where mugginess will be marked and tropical nights will continue to gain ground. The inflow of warm air of African origin will transport suspended dust that will cloud the atmosphere.

Monday with heat and afternoon showers in the northern third

The thermal situation will favor the growth of convective clouds, especially during the afternoon. The same heat and slightly low pressure will favor these afternoon thunderstorms, typical of summer. However, the models already indicate some activity in the Lleida Pyrenees in the morning, where a day with more clouds and some early showers is expected before noon.

Storms will break out during the second part of the day in the Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, and northern Central Catalonia regions. They are also not ruled out in the Ports. These will be showers that, locally, may be heavy, with lightning and a bit of hail. In fact, Meteocat has issued a warning for the possibility of intense rain in some areas of these regions.

In the rest of the territory, the good weather and summer heat will continue, with some thin clouds. Maximums in Ponent and the southern interior will be around 37°C, and in the rest of the country, generally, they will be between 30°C and 35°C.

Week with erratic highs and summer heat

Throughout the week, the heat will intensify, with the presence of an African warm air mass that will maintain an atypical summer atmosphere. It should be remembered that astronomical summer has not yet arrived: it will do so next Sunday. In Ponent and Terres de l'Ebre, maximum temperatures of 36 to 38°C are expected, with the highest values between Friday and the weekend, when they could reach 40°C. In the rest of the country, the heat will be intense, reaching up to 35°C inland and 32°C on the coast, with heavy humidity and tropical nights. Despite some afternoon thunderstorms in the Pyrenees, generally no rain is in sight, with plenty of sun and dust in suspension.