Spain braces for third heat wave as temperatures set to exceed 45C

Third heat wave to peak Thursday

Spain's State Meteorological Agency announced Saturday that the country is bracing for its third heat wave of the summer, with temperatures expected to exceed 45 degrees Celsius in southeastern regions by midweek as a mass of hot, dry air carrying suspended dust settles over the peninsula.

The episode is forecast to begin Tuesday and intensify through Thursday, when conditions reach maximum severity, according to Aemet. Maximum temperatures could reach 41C to 43C in inland southeastern areas on Tuesday and locally exceed 44C, with Thursday expected to bring the peak heat of 42C to 44C across the southeastern third and up to 45C in the Guadalquivir Valley and Genil basin.

Extreme wildfire danger

The agency warned that wildfire danger will rise to extreme levels across the affected regions, with dry afternoon thunderstorms possible in mountainous areas including the Pyrenees valleys and northeastern depressions. Temperatures are forecast to fall widely from Friday, though meteorologists said uncertainty remains regarding whether the episode could extend beyond Thursday.

Increasing frequency

This marks Spain's third heat wave this summer, following episodes recorded from June 21 to 24 and July 5 to 9. Aemet data indicates heat waves have become more frequent and arrive earlier than in previous decades, with mainland Spain recording only two June heat waves between 1975 and 2000 compared with 10 between 2000 and 2025.