Spain enters this Sunday July 5th into a new heatwave, with very high temperatures in a large part of the country and maximums that could reach 42 degrees in the hardest-hit areas.
The State Meteorological Agency maintains a special heat warning, with values between 36 and 39 degrees in large areas of the Peninsula and punctual records above that in the large valleys of the peninsular southwest and the Ebro.
The areas most exposed this Sunday will be the Tajo, Guadiana, Guadalquivir, and Ebro valleys, in addition to western Andalusia, parts of Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, interior areas of the northeast, and areas of Galicia where the heat could also spike in isolated cases.
The day will be marked by clear or partly cloudy skies, general stability, tropical nights in a large part of the country, and torrid nights in places where the minimums do not drop below 25 degrees.
Where it will be hottest this Sunday, July 5th
The highest temperatures are expected in the peninsular southwest and in the large valleys.
The Guadalquivir valley, the Guadiana valley, and the Tajo valley will once again be among the hottest areas in the country, with maximums that could reach 40-42 degrees.
The Ebro valley and the northeastern depressions may also record extreme values, especially during the central hours of the day.
In a large part of the peninsular interior, maximums of between 36 and 39 degrees are expected, with a sensation of intense heat from mid-morning and a high risk during the afternoon.
Aemet warning for heatwave
Aemet maintains the special heatwave warning for this Sunday.
The episode arrives due to the entry of a very warm air mass, the strong insolation typical of July, and a situation of atmospheric stability that favors the rise in temperatures.
The heat will be especially pronounced in inland areas, although it will also affect areas of the Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.
The episode may last at least until Tuesday, although its final duration will depend on the atmospheric evolution in the coming days.
Maximums of up to 42 degrees
The most important data of the day is the 42 degrees.
Aemet predicts that maximums of 40 to 42 degrees could be reached in the Tajo, Guadiana, Guadalquivir, and Ebro valleys, and even exceed that threshold locally.
In the rest of the Peninsula, temperatures will also be very high, with records of 36 to 39 degrees in many capitals and inland regions.
The heat will be more intense during the central hours of the day, especially between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Tropical nights and torrid nights
The heatwave will not only be noticeable during the day.
Minimum temperatures will remain very high in large areas of the country. In many parts of the Mediterranean coast, the peninsular southwest, and the Ebro valley, temperatures will not drop below 20 degrees, resulting in tropical nights.
In the Tajo, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir valleys, torrid nights may be recorded, with minimums above 25 degrees.
This nighttime heat increases health risks because it hinders rest and prolongs thermal stress for many hours.
Temperatures rise in the north
Temperatures will rise this Sunday in the northern third of the peninsula.
The increase may be significant in the upper Ebro and Navarra, where the heat will intensify compared to previous days.
In contrast, temperatures may decrease in the east of the southern plateau and on the western Galician coast, although the atmosphere will remain hot in much of the country.
No major changes are expected in the rest of the territory, but the starting point is already very high.
Canary Islands also feel the heat
The Canary Islands will also register thermal increases this Sunday.
Temperatures will rise, especially in mid-altitude and high areas, with maximums that could exceed 34 degrees in Gran Canaria.
In the north of the larger islands, cloudy intervals are expected, while in the eastern islands and on the southern slopes, skies will be mostly clear.
The wind will be from the north and moderate.
Clear skies and possible isolated showers
The situation will be stable in most of Spain.
Clear or mostly clear skies will prevail in the Peninsula and Balearic Islands, although with the presence of high clouds.
In inland areas, convective clouds may develop during the afternoon, with the possibility of isolated showers in mountainous areas.
These precipitations are not expected to generally alleviate the heat.
Strong gusts in the Strait
Wind will be another relevant factor this Sunday.
Easterly winds will prevail on the coasts, with strong gusts in the Strait that could exceed 80 kilometers per hour.
Moderate winds will blow in the Cantabrian Sea and Alboran Sea, while light breezes will dominate in the rest of the Mediterranean and Galicia.
In the interior of the peninsula, the winds will be light and variable, although they may gain intensity during the central hours of the day.
Risk to health
The heatwave increases the risk to health, especially in the elderly, children, pregnant women, chronically ill people, outdoor workers, and people without access to cool spaces.
Basic recommendations include avoiding sun exposure during the central hours of the day, drinking water frequently, reducing intense physical activity, wearing light clothing, and staying in cool or air-conditioned places.
It is also advisable to monitor vulnerable people who live alone and never leave children, the elderly, or pets inside parked vehicles.
Until when will the heatwave last
The heat episode may last at least until Tuesday.
Aemet warns that there is uncertainty about the final duration of the phenomenon, but the most likely scenario is that temperatures will remain very high in the coming days.
The evolution will depend on the position of a DANA and how the warm air mass affecting the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands moves.
In any case, this Sunday marks the beginning of the most intense phase of the episode.