Spain braces for third heatwave with temperatures up to 45ºC

Spain is in the grip of its third heatwave of the summer, with temperatures soaring to extreme levels across the Mediterranean and southern regions. The peak is expected between Wednesday and Thursday, when thermometers could reach 44–45 °C in parts of Murcia, Valencia, and Andalusia Source: elnacionalve, lavanguardia.

Peak temperatures and warnings

The Aemet has issued a red alert for the southern coast of Valencia and Alicante, where maxima may exceed 42 °C Source: lavanguardia. Orange warnings cover seven autonomous communities including Andalusia, Aragon, Baleares, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Murcia, and the Valencian Community Source: elmundoes. Meteorologist Roberto Brasero noted that Thursday will be the hottest day, especially in the southeast, with localised highs of 45 °C Source: lavanguardia.

Risks: Calima, thunderstorms and fires

• The heatwave is accompanied by calima (suspended dust) and thunderstorms, many of them dry, which bring a high risk of lightning-induced wildfires Source: elmundoes.
• The fire in La Mierla (Guadalajara) has already burned over 29,000 hectares and forced evacuations Source: euronewses.
• Warnings for thunderstorms with hail and strong gusts are active in Castellón, Tarragona, Valencia, Murcia, and eastern Andalusia Source: elconfidencial.

When will the heat end?

Aemet forecasts that temperatures will begin to drop on Friday 24 July in the western half, but the east and Baleares will remain very hot until Saturday Source: abces. The weekend will bring a temporary reprieve, with some areas experiencing unusually cool conditions for July Source: elmundoes. However, the respite may be brief: heat is expected to return early next week Source: infobae.

Broader impact

Electricity prices have soared due to the heatwave, with the wholesale market peaking at 244 €/MWh at 10 p.m., as solar generation falls Source: abces. Meanwhile, meteorologist Samuel Biener points to a strengthening polar jet stream that could drive a more dramatic change by the weekend, potentially bringing a DANA (isolated depression) and heavy storms Source: elespanol.