article_detail

 

Most of Spain should get a little break for the extreme heat this week. In the coming days, big atmospheric changes are on the way, the first of which will result in far cooler temperatures in the extreme north and along the Mediterranean coast due to the arrival of blustery winds.

 

The changes are not all positive, however, and the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) believes a DANA could land on Friday July 11, resulting in widespread storms.

 

But even with this forecast, July is typically the driest month of the year in Spain, so while the rain may be widespread, it won’t necessarily fall in huge amounts.

 

 

To start the week off, the Cantabrian region and Catalonia will get the first of the rain and the showers will likely reach the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands by Monday afternoon. Yellow alerts have been issued in these areas.

 

At the same time, maximum temperatures will remain above 34-36ºC in large areas of the southwest, and even reach 38-40ºC in the Guadalquivir and Guadiana rivers. An orange alert for extreme heat has been activated in Andalucía from 1pm.

 

 

Tuesday should be rain-free, except for some areas along the coasts of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.

Daytime temperatures will drop slightly along the Mediterranean coast and the southwest in general, but the mercury will still hover around the mid-30s in most parts.

 

Light to moderate winds will blow across most of the country, making things feel a little cooler.

 

 

Wednesday is expected to be a stable day for mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, remaining under the influence of high pressure. The Mediterranean coast will be the exception to this due to the entry of humid air, which will create low cloud cover and light showers in the east, more frequent in the extreme south.

 

Daytime temperatures should dip to the low 30s in most of the south, but heat alerts remain active in Castilla y Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Madrid.

 

 

The effects of the approaching DANA will begin to be felt on Thursday, crossing the country from west to east. While its exact path is still very uncertain, Aemet expects frequent showers in the east and south of the country, alongside some heavier downpours inland.

 

Maximum temperatures will rise in the northern and eastern thirds and on the islands, while slight decreases are expected in the westernmost part of the country.

 

 

Images: Aemet