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 weekend, temperatures once 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 extend 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 a warm surge that will bring values close to 38 °C in western Catalonia.

Monday: midsummer atmosphere

Start of the week with sun and much good weather, a fact that will allow this festive day in some parts of the country. Temperatures will rise rapidly with the hours and by midday they will have reached up to 28 °C on the coast or up to 30 °C in the pre-coastal area. It will be in the mid-afternoon when the day's maximums are reached, with between 33 and 35 °C in the western regions and in the interior of the Ebro valley. Visibility will be very good, except for some small mist in some Pyrenean valley and a bit of haze.

During the afternoon, clouds will grow in the Pyrenees, due to the same heat, and some localized and short-lived showers may fall in the western Pyrenees, as happened this Sunday.

Tuesday: no changes

More heat mid-week, with highs in Ponent up to 38°CMore 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 some very warm recent months of May. 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 under the sun.