The heat wave will rekindle in the coming days

BarcelonaTemperatures dropped another notch this Wednesday in the west of the country, where they failed to reach 40°C for the first time in several days. However, the heat remained intense throughout, with almost 38°C, for example, also in the Girona region and in some parts of the Barcelona pre-coastal area (you'll find today's highlights at the end of this report). In the coming days, we'll see a scorching peak again. We're experiencing a relative and brief respite from the second heat wave of the summer, but it will flare up again and last at least until next Monday. Very hot days await us, with extreme temperatures clearly above average. Temperatures will again exceed 40°C in the hottest areas, especially from Friday and into the weekend.

Showers and thunderstorms will occur in many parts of the northern half of the country on Thursday, but starting Friday, sunshine and calm weather will prevail, with no further precipitation. The weather forecast predicts a clear cool-off starting mid-next week, and this change in weather could bring the typical late-August storm surge. Until then, we'll have to sweat it out.

Thursday: heat and afternoon showers

The night will once again be tropical and will lead to poor sleep in many areas, especially along the coast and pre-coast. In fact, some torrid lows—above 25°C—will be repeated in some coastal areas, especially on the urban island of Barcelona, where almost 30 torrid nights have already been recorded this year. And highs will already begin to rise further in the southern half and the central coast and pre-coast, especially because the marina will take longer to arrive, which will cause the mercury to rise further in these areas. Therefore, Meteocat has again activated intense heat warnings for some regions in these areas on Thursday and Friday.

As for the weather, the morning will be calm and sunny overall, but the first clouds will already be growing in parts of the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees. From midday and into the afternoon, showers and thunderstorms will occur in these areas, eventually reaching parts of Central Catalonia, Western Catalonia, and even some areas of the pre-coastal region. The storms will be locally strong and may be accompanied by strong winds and hail. Meteocat has issued warnings for heavy rain in some parts of the north of the country.

These storms will cause maximum temperatures to drop further in the Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, and nearby areas, but this will be a temporary drop and not representative of the rest of the country, where it will once again be a very warm day, with many highs of 32 to 38°C. There may also be some afternoon showers in inland areas of Valencia and Mallorca.

New surge in the heat wave

Friday will be even hotter, and temperatures will rise further over the weekend. We're facing a resurgence of the heat wave, and this situation will last at least until next Monday. We're in for another torrid few days, with temperatures well above normal, widespread sleepless nights, and the recurrence of tropical or torrid lows.

The good news is that the maps continue to indicate a clear cooling off period in mid- to late next week, bringing temperatures back to normal and putting an end to so many days of extreme, unbearable heat. No more showers are expected after Thursday, but next week's cooling off period could be accompanied by a more extensive round of showers and thunderstorms. Typical conditions for late August, yet to be confirmed.

This Wednesday's heat report

Temperatures haven't soared as high today across the country, and for the first time in quite a few days, no 40°C temperatures have been recorded anywhere, not even in the Ebro or Ponent. However, temperatures have once again reached or exceeded 38°C in these areas, and this figure has also been close to reaching it in areas such as the Girona region and the Barcelona pre-coast. It's very warm, but far from the 42°C or 43°C of days ago. And afternoon storms and showers have also been rarer, affecting mainly the Alt Pirineu and Els Ports. These are the most notable maximum temperatures recorded this Wednesday until 5:30 p.m.

• 38.3°C: Vinebre
• 37.9 ºC: Darnius - Boadella Swamp
• 37.8 ºC: Sant Cugat del Vallès - CAR
• 37.7 ºC: San Romano de Abella
• 37.7 ºC: Tempering
• 37.7 ºC: Lleida - la Femosa
• 37.6 ºC: Albesa
• 37.6 ºC: Golmés
• 37.5 ºC: Tàrrega
• 37.4 ºC: Espolla