Yesterday's extreme heat in Ponent, the prelude to the Sant Joan long weekend weather

BarcelonaTemperatures soared yesterday, Tuesday, in the west of the country, reaching the first 39°C of the year in Ponent, specifically in Lleida, in the Segrià region, with a maximum of 39.2°C. A very scorching peak that prompted Meteocat to activate the first intense heat alert of the season (you'll find all the details on this peak heat at the end of this report). Temperatures will drop today in this area, and maximum temperatures will no longer be as extreme, while on the central coast they will rise slightly. These nuances come in a context of heat that is too summery for the time of year and marked muggy conditions on the coast. And in the coming days, the mercury will rise again, as the bubble of warm air coming from North Africa will strengthen once again. Very hot days, worthy of a dog day, await us as we face the official start of summer and the Sant Joan long weekend. And all of this with plenty of calm and sunshine.

Wednesday: Less extreme heat in Ponent

Minimum temperatures have risen slightly, with tropical temperatures again in coastal areas and the south of the country. In parts of the Ebro Delta, the minimum temperature did not drop below 24.5°C due to the presence of low clouds during the early morning. Maximum temperatures will drop in the western half of the country and in the Valencian Community, with less extreme heat in the West. However, most maximum temperatures will range between 27 and 33°C, and in the Pla de Lleida region between 35 and 37°C. Temperatures will even rise by a few degrees on the central coast. Very warm and atypical for the time of year, and very muggy on the coast.

All with sunshine and generally calm skies. In the afternoon, clouds will gather in mountainous areas, but in Catalonia they will not rain, but inland and along the coastal foothills of the Valencian Community, they will cause irregular showers and thunderstorms. Some showers may even reach the Alicante coast.

Very hot in the coming days

Temperatures will rise again on Thursday, and will even reach their peak over the weekend, coinciding with the official arrival of summer on Saturday and the start of the Sant Joan long weekend. Many highs will hover between 31 and 36°C, but towards the west, temperatures could once again reach 38°C or even approach 40°C. Absolutely out of control, sustained temperatures more worthy of the dog days. All this with sunshine and dust in the air. Perhaps afternoon showers will move further north in the country starting Friday, but there's not much rain in sight.

Peak of the torrid season

As expected, temperatures soared yesterday, Tuesday, in the western half of the country. They exceeded 37 or 38°C in local points inland from the Ebro River, such as the Ribarroja reservoir (38.3°C) and Vinebre (37.6°C). But the hottest weather occurred in Ponent, where temperatures reached and exceeded 39°C for the first time this year in our country. Specifically, at the Meteocat station in Lleida-la Femosa, with 39.2°C. Some municipalities in the same region also reached close to 39°C, such as Seròs. This is the summary of the highest maximum temperatures reached this Tuesday:

• 39.2ºC: Lleida-la Femosa
• 38.9ºC: Seròs
• 38.8ºC: Lleida (Aemet)
• 38.7ºC: Torres de Segre
• 38.3ºC: Ribarroja Reservoir
• 38.3ºC: Limiana
• 38.1ºC: Almadraba de Seana
• 38.1ºC: Mollerussa
• 37.9ºC: Alguaire
• 37.7ºC: Gimenells and Alfarràs