Sweltering weekend: the entire country on alert for the peak of the heat wave

BarcelonaThe heat surged this holiday Friday, especially inland. After two days without reaching 40°C, temperatures again exceeded this figure today in the southern inland regions of the country, locally reaching over 42°C (you'll find all the data at the end of this report). Extreme heat everywhere, which will become even more pronounced over the weekend. The new scorching peak of this long, second heat wave of the summer will reach its peak on Sunday, the day Meteocat has activated the red alert—the highest level—for intense heat in virtually all the regions of Tarragona and in the Alt Empordà, where temperatures will exceed 40°C. Occasionally, temperatures could reach 44°C inland in the Terres de l'Ebre region. The rest of the country is also on yellow or orange alert for a generally stifling atmosphere.

Civil Protection has activated the Procicat plan alert for this incident. And beware of the risk of forest fires, which will be especially high on Sunday, as dry, superheated winds will blow, lowering humidity in most regions. At night, sleeping will also be difficult in many regions, as tropical or torrid lows will be expected. The heat wave will last until Monday, although temperatures will begin to drop. And throughout the next week, the cooling off will be evident, definitively leaving behind one of the longest heat waves on record in our country.

Saturday: hotter

Temperatures will rise further, both minimum and maximum. A sweltering day is expected, with tropical lows in many regions and some scorching temperatures—over 25°C—in some coastal areas, especially in the city of Barcelona due to the urban heat island effect. Meteocat has activated several nighttime heat alerts on the coast and pre-coast throughout the weekend.

In the morning, the mercury will rise rapidly with a lot of heat, and most highs will range between 34 and 39°C, slightly lower on the coast, but still very muggy. In Ponent and inland Ebro, temperatures will easily reach and exceed 40°C, where they will locally reach 42 or 43°C. The 40°C mark could also be reached elsewhere inland or on the northeast pre-coastal, such as in Alt Empordà. Orange and yellow heat alerts have been issued for intense heat across virtually the entire country.

All with sunshine, calm, and the presence of suspended dust. Only a few harmless clouds will develop in the afternoon in mountainous areas in the north of the country, which will have no further consequences.

Sunday: peak of the heat wave

Temperatures will rise slightly further and reach their peak, especially on the southern coast and pre-coast due to the warm westerly wind. A warm wind will blow moderately and will be felt in many places, lowering the humidity. In the Empordà region and also in northern parts of the country, this wind will blow from the north. A combination of wind and low humidity will make the risk of fires especially high on the last day of the weekend.

Many highs of 35 to 40°C are expected, but in Ponent, inland Ebro, and Priorat, temperatures could again exceed 42°C or 43°C, and even reach or exceed 44°C in exceptional cases. In the Tremp basin and in the Prepio region, temperatures could reach or exceed 40°C, as well as in the inland and pre-coast of the Valencian Community. Meteocat extends intense heat alerts across the country, with a red warning for much of the Tarragona region and the Alt Empordà. A very sweltering day with generally sunny weather.

The end of the heat wave is already in sight

Monday will be the last day of the heat wave, but temperatures won't rise as much as they did on Monday. The drop in temperature will be more noticeable starting Tuesday, especially in the days following. Temperatures will return to normal after being about eight degrees above average these past few days. Therefore, the maps are confirming this cooling off, which will make us breathe much easier, both day and night. A change in the weather that, due to the entry of cold air from high altitude, will bring about the reappearance of some showers and thunderstorms.

Balance of Friday's intense heat

This Friday, temperatures rose further, especially in the inland regions. After a lull in the 40°C range over the past two days, this figure was reached and exceeded again in the southern inland regions of the country. The 42.6°C recorded in Vinebre (Ribera d'Ebre) stands out as the highest figure of the day in the entire country. The atmosphere has been stifling throughout the country, with many highs of 33°C to 38°C, outside the hottest areas. This Friday was the 14th day this summer that a measuring point in the Meteocat Network of Automatic Meteorological Stations has exceeded 40°C. Seven in June, two in July, and five in the first half of August. This year, it equals the year with the most days of 40°C at a Meteocat station so far. These are Friday's highest highs:

• 42.6 ºC: Vinebre
• 41.6 ºC: Aldover
• 41.1 ºC: El Masroig
• 41.1 ºC: Torroja del Priorat
• 41 ºC: Ribarroja Reservoir
• 40.6 ºC: Ascó
• 40.6 ºC: Benissanet
• 40.5 ºC: Tortosa (Roquetas)
• 40 ºC: Cabacés
• 39.7 ºC: Siurana reservoir
• 39.3 ºC: Seròs
• 39.3 ºC: Gandesa