Spain's heatwave eases as a cold front arrives, but the northeast faces strong storms and Canaries stay near 40°C

A change in the weather pattern begins this Monday across much of Spain, bringing an end to the most intense phase of the recent heatwave. A cold front entering the peninsula from the northwest is the main driver, delivering cloudier skies to the northern half of the country and precipitation that will start in western Galicia before spreading to other northwestern areas during the afternoon.

Temperature shift

Maximum temperatures will fall across practically the entire peninsula, according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). Despite the drop, the heat will remain intense. Thermometers will continue to exceed 35°C across large parts of the eastern and southern thirds of the peninsula, as well as in the Balearic Islands. The most extreme episode will again be recorded in the Canary Islands, where temperatures could locally reach 40°C. Among the hottest provincial capitals, Málaga and Murcia are both forecast to hit 39°C, followed by Zaragoza at 37°C. Seville, Córdoba, Lleida, Girona and Melilla will range between 35°C and 36°C. In contrast, northern cities will be far cooler: Santander will barely reach 25°C, Oviedo will record a maximum of 27°C, and A Coruña, Lugo and Bilbao will move between 27°C and 28°C.

Storm risk in the northeast

Instability will grow in the northeast during the afternoon. AEMET forecasts showers and storms in the northeastern quadrant, with particular attention on the lower Ebro and the province of Lleida, where they could be strong and accompanied by hail. The agency does not rule out these phenomena reaching other points in Catalonia and Aragon. Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and the Region of Murcia will remain under heat warnings from midday.

Overnight conditions and wind

Tropical nights, where temperatures do not drop below 20°C, are expected across wide areas of the southeastern half of the peninsula and in the Balearic Islands. Minimums above 25°C are forecast for points on the Mediterranean coast and in the Canary Islands, where locally they may not fall below 30°C. Minimum temperatures will rise in the central north of the peninsula, with decreases in Andalusia and little change elsewhere. Regarding wind, a moderate westerly will blow on the southern coasts of the peninsula and a moderate southerly on the Galician coasts. Elsewhere, light winds will generally predominate, strengthening in the afternoon, with a westerly component except in the Balearics, the northeast and the eastern facade of the peninsula, where southerly and easterly components will dominate. In the Canary Islands, the trade winds will blow with strong intervals and very strong gusts.

Canary Islands and the rest of the country

While the mainland sees a relative easing, the Canary Islands will continue under an intense heat episode with maximums close to 40°C and high-altitude calima. In the rest of the country, cloudy intervals or partly cloudy skies will predominate, while in the Balearic Islands high cloud cover will increase. Scattered morning fog banks are probable in points of the north and east of the peninsula and in the Balearics.