Unbridled heat: the first 40°C of the year could arrive soon

BarcelonaTemperatures have dropped slightly in the western regions this Wednesday. They didn't reach the 38°C or 39°C of Tuesday in Ponent (you'll find the report on yesterday's scorching peak at the end of this report), but it has continued to be very hot in the middle of summer, with highs of over 37°C in Segrià. And starting this Thursday, thermometers will rise again, with a reinforcement of the bubble of warm air coming from North Africa.

This heat will peak on Friday and during the Sant Joan long weekend, when the first 40°C of the year could reach Ponent and the Ebro Valley. An unseasonably hot weather atmosphere for the season, with stifling heat everywhere, marked muggy conditions on the coast, and more tropical nights. All this, with the reappearance of showers and afternoon thunderstorms in the Pyrenees.

Thursday: temperatures on the rise

This Thursday we will wake up to a mild, calm, and generally sunny atmosphere. There may only be some decorative touches of thin clouds, as well as fog or local low clouds along sections of the coast, especially along the Ebro. Tropical lows will be repeated near the sea, in the south, and in high inland areas. But the news will be that highs will rise again, with a very warm atmosphere.

Many highs will hover between 30°C and 35°C, but these figures will be exceeded in the west. In the Ponent region, temperatures will once again reach 38°C or 39°C, with stifling heat. Some highs may also approach 30°C on the coast, with very marked muggy conditions. It will be a midsummer day, once again with dust in the air.

In the afternoon, clouds will gather in mountainous areas, and in the afternoon, they will move in from the west, possibly bringing showers or local thunderstorms to the Lleida region and around Els Ports. Showers will also recur during the afternoon in inland areas of the Valencian Community, while the rest of the region will be sunny and calm.

Torrid San Juan Bridge

Temperatures will peak at the start of the Midsummer Day holiday. The first 40°C of the year could be reached in the West, while other very warm inland areas will also exceed 35°C. Irregular afternoon temperatures in the Pyrenees, Pre-Pyrenees, and the mountain passes.

Summary of Tuesday's torrid peak

Temperatures soared yesterday, Tuesday, in the western half of the country. They exceeded 37 or 38°C in 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 39°C, such as Seròs. However, on Wednesday, highs did not reach 38°C in that area. This is the summary of the highest highs reached on 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