The heat wave is here with afternoon storms that will cool the atmosphere.
The change in weather will bring a progressive drop in the thermometer.
BarcelonaThe heat wave we've experienced in recent days has set historic records and has been one of the longest in our country since records began. Between Friday and Sunday, we experienced scorching days and extreme temperatures that have broken some records, such as the one at the Fabra Observatory in Barcelona, with 38.9°C this Saturday. On Sunday, smoke from the fires in the west of the Iberian Peninsula slowed the rise of the mercury more than expected due to reduced solar radiation, although 40.7°C was recorded in Miami Platja (Mont-roig del Camp), a figure that is two and two-tenths of a degree higher than the maximum (more heat wave data at the end of this report).
The week begins with a morning of still fairly stable weather, but more extensive showers will appear during the afternoon, a situation that will continue to repeat itself over the coming days.
Monday: The heat wave is moving forward, giving way to storms.
The weather models show the departure of the warm African air pocket, and temperatures will already drop, although it will remain very hot, as was evident during the early morning on the coast and in the pre-coastal area, with another torrid night. In the morning, we will see some high, thin clouds, and from midday onwards, the storm clouds will become more powerful in mountainous areas. Thunderstorms will occur in the Pyrenees, the Pre-Pyrenees, in the West, and inland in the Terres de l'Ebre, locally of moderate to heavy intensity, with hail or stones. During the rest of the afternoon, storms will spread across northern Central Catalonia.
Temperatures will no longer be extreme, although it will still be intensely hot in Ponent. The thermometer will hover between 32°C and 36°C inland, dropping more noticeably in coastal areas, but with pronounced muggy conditions. In Ponent and inland Terres de l'Ebre, temperatures will still hover around 38°C or 39°C.
Tuesday: showers and cooler weather, especially in the Pyrenees
Starting Tuesday, temperatures will return to normal, and the days will be marked by instability. There will be clearer skies early in the morning and afternoon thunderstorms, which will also affect some parts of the pre-coastal and central parts of the country on Tuesday. The weather will cool down, and in the Pyrenees, we should pack a blanket at night, as lows in the valleys are expected to be around 9 or 10°C. Rest will be better along the coast, as lows will drop to 19 or 20°C.
Heat wave balance
Last Friday, temperatures rose significantly, especially in the inland regions. The absolute maximum temperature for the entire country was 42.6°C, recorded in Vinebre (Ribera d'Ebre), and on Saturday it rose again at the same observatory to 42.9°C. The atmosphere was stifling throughout the country, with many highs of 33°C to 38°C outside the hottest areas. Saturday saw several temperature records, and this Sunday was the 16th day this summer on which the Meteocat Network of Automatic Meteorological Stations reached or exceeded 40°C. This is the year with the most days with 40°C in the history of records in Catalonia.
Maximum temperatures recorded on Saturday:
- 43.8 °C: Benissanet (the previous historical value was 42.9 °C, on August 23, 2023)
- 42.9 °C: Vinebre
- 42.3 °C: El Masroig (4 tenths below the absolute maximum of 42.7 °C on August 12, 2022)
- 41.1 °C: San Sadurní de Anoia
- 40.4 °C: Espolla
- 39.7 °C: El Prat de Llobregat (equal to the record of 39.7 °C on August 23, 2023)
- 39.4 °C: Lleida - La Fenosa
- 38.9 °C: Barcelona - Fabra Observatory, manual station (surpasses the record of 38.5 °C of August 23, 2023).
- 38.8 °C: Malgrat de Mar (beats the record of 36.3 °C of August 5, 2018)
- 37.4 °C: the Rascler - Garraf Natural Park (exceeds the record of 36.7 °C of August 23, 2023)
Sunday's highest temperatures recorded:
- 41.6 °C: Tortosa (Roquetas)
- 41.5 °C: Aldover
- 40.7°C: Miami Playa / Mont-roig del Camp (beating the previous record of 38.5°C, set on August 5, 2018).
- 40.3 °C: The Sea Almond
- 40.1 °C: Vinebre
- 39.9 °C: Nulles
- 39.9 °C: Figueres
- 39.9 °C: Girona (airport)
- 39.9 °C: Reus (airport)