The heat wave is here with afternoon storms that will cool the atmosphere.

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. This Sunday was marked by a stuffy and stifling day due to the haze caused by suspended dust from Africa and, above all, by the smoke from the fires in the west of the Iberian Peninsula, which slowed the rise of the mercury more than expected due to reduced solar radiation.

However, today we recorded a maximum of 40.7°C in Miami Platja (Mont-roig del Camp). This figure is two degrees and two-tenths higher than the absolute maximum recorded in August (38.5°C, on August 5, 2018). Other values to highlight have been the 41.6 ºC of Tortosa (Roquetes), the 41.5 ºC of Aldover or the 40.3 ºC of L'Ametlla de Mar.

You will find more information on records at the end of this piece.

Monday: The heat wave is moving forward, giving way to storms.

On Monday, models show the departure of the warm African air pocket, and temperatures will drop, although it will still be very hot, especially during the early morning hours on the coast and in the pre-coastal area. We will once again experience a torrid night with lows between 27°C and 29°C. Meteocat has issued a warning for intense nighttime heat.

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.

Meteocat has issued a warning for heavy rain.

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 thunderstorms in the afternoon. The atmosphere 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 degrees Celsius. Rest will be better along the coast, as lows will drop to 19 or 20 degrees Celsius.

Further showers are expected for the rest of the week, with the greatest likelihood on Wednesday and Thursday. The weather will be much cooler, nothing like the extreme heat we've experienced in recent days.

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 Automatic Meteorological Station Network 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 ºC: Vinebre
• 42.3 ºC: El Masroig (4 tenths below the absolute maximum of 42.7 ºC on August 12, 2022)
• 41.1 ºC: San Sadurní de Anoia
• 40.4 ºC: Espolla
• 39.7 ºC: El Prat de Llobregat (equal to the record of 39.7 ºC on August 23, 2023)
• 39.4 ºC: Lleida - La Fenosa
• 38.9 ºC: Barcelona - Fabra Observatory, manual station (surpasses the record of 38.5 ºC of August 23, 2023).
• 38.8 ºC: Malgrat de Mar (exceeds the record of 36.3 ºC of August 5, 2018)
• 37.4 ºC: the Rascler - Garraf Natural Park (exceeds the record of 36.7 ºC of August 23, 2023)

Sunday's highest temperatures recorded:

• 41.6 ºC: Tortosa (Roquetas)
• 41.5 ºC: Aldover
• 40.7°C: Miami Platja / Mont-roig del Camp (beating the previous record of 38.5°C, set on August 5, 2018)
• 40.3 ºC: l'Ametlla de Mar
• 40.1 ºC: Vinebre
• 39.9 ºC: Nulles
• 39.9 ºC: Figueres
• 39.9 ºC: Girona (airport)
• 39.9 ºC: Reus (airport)