The summer heat will extend throughout the week

BarcelonaThe mass of warm air over the Iberian Peninsula continues to generate an atmosphere more typical of early July than May. This Sunday, temperatures again neared 35 °C in the Lleida plain and the Girona regions, and exceeded 32 °C in the pre-coastal areas. On the coast, the lack of ventilation and intense radiation caused the mercury to climb to 31 °C in Roses.

Models indicate that this warm spell will last for much of the week, with values between 6 and 8 degrees above average, in some cases. Thermometers will reach their peak between Thursday and Friday, with values approaching 38 °C in Ponent.

Midsummer Monday

The start of the week, a holiday in some towns, will begin with sun and great calm. On the coast, the sea will be flat and the wind will be null or very weak. Temperatures will rise rapidly as the morning progresses and by midday they will have reached up to 28 °C on the coast or up to 30 °C in the pre-coastal areas. Visibility will be very good, except for some small mist in some Pyrenean valleys and a bit of haze.

During the afternoon, cloudiness may increase, a result of the same heat, and some localized and short-lived showers may fall in the western Pyrenees, as happened this Sunday. In fact, during the afternoon, up to 11 l/m² accumulated in Viella and 3 l/m² in Certascan.

More heat mid-week, with highs in Ponent up to 38 °C

The latest maps from different meteorological models indicate that the heat could even peak from mid-week, with highs of up to 37 °C or 38 °C in Ponent. Heat records will likely not be reached, as we are coming from very warm recent May months. But we will have to see if the persistence of the heatwave becomes extraordinary, as we are talking about many consecutive days with values well above average.

Remember that, with this heat, you should seek shade and protect yourself with sunscreen, as the sun can burn our skin very easily at this time of year. The radiation is as intense as in July and, therefore, you should use sun protection for your skin and a hat if you have to be exposed for a long time in the sun.

Maximums recorded this Sunday:

• Alcarràs: 34 ºC
• Girona: 32'5 ºC
• Aldover: 32 ºC
• Roses: 31 ºC
• Sant Martí Sarroca: 31 ºC
• Vallirana: 31´5 ºC
• Banyoles: 30 ºC