The heatwave eases a little today, but it doesn't leave
The heat will remain intense for several days, and the Saint John's Eve will be warm and pleasant
BarcelonaThe heatwave has peaked in recent hours. Temperatures rose even further yesterday, with between 8 and 13 degrees above average in inland areas and the Pyrenees, and many maximums ranged between 35 and 40 ºC in the pre-coastal areas and inland. But these figures were surpassed in Ponent, as well as in parts of the Ebro and other inland areas. The extraordinary 43 ºC recorded in Vilanova de Segrià stand out, which is the highest temperature reached so far this year in Catalonia. The peak of tropical and torrid minimums was also experienced in many areas (you will find all the most notable data on the extreme heat of recent hours at the end of this information).
This night has also been difficult to sleep in many areas, with many tropical minimums, while some torrid ones have been repeated near the sea. From today, the thermometers will drop a little, but the heat will continue to be very intense and extreme. And there is no clear end to this situation in sight, as the anticyclone and the warm gust with suspended dust from North Africa will continue to affect our latitudes.
Tuesday: slight drop in mercury
The early morning has been warm and difficult to sleep in many regions. Minimum temperatures have been tropical in many areas – above 20 ºC – but torrid – above 25 ºC – in coastal areas, especially in large urban areas due to the urban heat island effect, such as the Barcelona area. Meteocat has activated alerts for night heat in several regions of Barcelona, Ponent, and Central Catalonia.
As for the maximums, they will drop slightly overall, but we will hardly notice the change, as we are coming from so high up that it will continue to be very hot in general. Most values will range between 32 and 38 ºC, with very intense mugginess on the coast. In Ponent and the Ebro valley, temperatures will again approach 40 ºC. Meteocat maintains alerts activated for intense heat in inland areas and the western Pyrenees. The sun will dominate, with a dusty sky due to suspended dust, and afternoon cloudiness that will leave some irregular showers in the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees – especially in the western part – and in nearby inland areas. In fact, in inland areas there may be dry thunderstorms, with strong gusts of wind, which will increase the risk of fires.
The weather for Saint John's Eve
Saint John's Eve will be one of the warmest on record, with tropical minimums in many places and again scorching temperatures in coastal areas. Beyond the heat, the night will be pleasant and enjoyable, with no rain anywhere. The afternoon showers from the north of the country will completely disappear by dinner time, and apart from remnants of some clouds and the presence of suspended dust, there will be no impediment to enjoying this magical night. Nevertheless, be careful with fire and fireworks, as the risk of fires will be very high.
Intense heat without respite
Although the extremes of Monday will no longer be reached, temperatures will remain very high for the season throughout the week. Temperatures will continue to exceed 35 ºC in many inland areas, with marked sultriness on the coast and sleepless nights in several regions. No clear cooling or normalization of thermometers is in sight, with only some rises and falls in mercury.
All this with sun, calm and suspended dust. Only some irregular afternoon showers or thunderstorms will be repeated in the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, which by Sant Joan could even reach more nearby inland areas. In any case, no significant change in weather is expected.
Balance of the heatwave peak
The peak of the heatwave has left extreme temperatures across the country. On Monday, temperatures of 40 ºC were reached or exceeded in many inland areas, especially in Ponent. The maximum of 43 ºC recorded at the Aemet station in Vilanova de Segrià stands out, the highest temperature so far this year in Catalonia. But also the 42.1 ºC in Alcarràs (Segrià), the 41.8 ºC in Vinebre (Ribera d’Ebre) or almost 40ºC in Castellbisbal (Vallès Occidental), among others. These are the highest maximums reached on Monday:
- 43 ºC: Vilanova de Segrià
- 42.7 ºC: Lleida (Aemet)
- 42.4 ºC: Lleida - La Femosa
- 42.1 ºC: Alcarràs
- 42.1 ºC: Alfarràs
- 41.8 ºC: Vinebre
- 41.7 ºC: el Poal
- 41.7 ºC: Algerri
- 41.6 ºC: Castellnou de Seana
- 41.6 ºC: Gimenells
- 41.5 ºC: Torroja del Priorat
- 41.5 ºC: Torres de Segre
- 41.4 °C: Artés
- 41.2 °C: Temperate
- 40.9 °C: Sant Romà d'Abella
- 40.2 ºC: Sant Salvador de Guardiola
On the coast, the mercury has not risen as much, although temperatures have also exceeded 30 ºC, with particularly heavy sultriness. Tuesday morning was warm, but Monday's was even warmer, with torrid lows in densely populated coastal areas and at high elevations of the coast and pre-coast. Minimum temperatures of 25 or 26 ºC were recorded, with thermal inversion. Notable minimums include 26.4 ºC at the Fabra Observatory, 25.9 ºC in Montserrat, 25.4 ºC in the Raval neighborhood of Barcelona, and 25.3 ºC in the Garraf Natural Park. This Tuesday, the minimum temperature also did not drop below 26.7 ºC at the Fabra, but elsewhere the mercury has taken a slight step back.