The brief respite from Spain's recent heatwave is coming to an end. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has announced via its social media channels that a mass of air significantly warmer than usual is expected to move over the Iberian Peninsula in the coming days, threatening to restore intense heat just in time for the weekend.
This temperature surge will not arrive uniformly across the country. The northern regions, particularly along the Atlantic seaboard, will benefit from cloud cover and maritime winds that will act as a buffer, maintaining a milder atmosphere while the rest of Spain begins to swelter. The contrast between the cooler north and the scorching south and interior will be stark.
Forecast Details: Where the Heat Will Hit Hardest
Weather models indicate that the temperature rise will be especially pronounced from the start of July. Projections show highs potentially reaching 42°C in Seville on Thursday, with Badajoz hovering around 41°C and Córdoba near 40°C. Other inland provincial capitals, such as Toledo, Ciudad Real, Jaén, and Cáceres, are also expected to approach that threshold, with forecast temperatures between 38 and 39°C.
What does Aemet mean by "warmer-than-normal" air? In essence, the temperatures arriving are above the typical range for late June. The relief of recent days, with mild dawns and cooler nights, will evaporate as thermometers climb back above 30°C across most of the country.
"It is likely that towards the end of the week the heat will once again be very intense across most of the country," Aemet warns. The models outline a scenario of temperatures clearly above average for the turn of the month, particularly in inland areas. It remains to be seen how far the heat will go, and daily alerts will be necessary to identify which provinces and regions bear the brunt, as red and orange warnings are reissued for rising temperatures.
This heatwave follows a pattern seen across the Iberian Peninsula. Earlier this year, IPMA warned of 43°C heatwave and tropical nights across mainland Portugal, highlighting the broader regional challenge. The health implications are serious; Spain recorded 327 heat-related deaths in under a week during a previous record heatwave, underscoring the need for vigilance.
As the weekend approaches, residents and visitors in affected areas should prepare for extreme conditions. The heat is expected to persist into early July, with little relief in sight for the southern and central parts of the country.
