Spain swelters under second heatwave of summer, red alerts issued for Tuesday
Aemet warns of 'extraordinary danger' as temperatures set to hit 44°C in parts of Valencia, Catalonia and Aragon on Tuesday.
Widespread orange alerts
Today, 15 of Spain's 17 autonomous communities are under orange warnings for high temperatures, with only the Balearics and Murcia at yellow level. The heatwave, which began on Sunday, is driven by a mass of very warm, dry air and high insolation. Aemet has described Monday as the "peak day" of the episode, with maximums reaching 42°C in the Guadalquivir valley and 40°C in Madrid, Extremadura and interior Valencia.
We are facing a situation of extraordinary danger, especially during the central hours of the day.
Red alerts for Tuesday
The worst is expected on Tuesday, when Aemet will activate red warnings for the Lleida depression, the Ebro valley in Aragon and the south of Valencia province. Temperatures could hit 44°C in the Carcaixent area, according to forecasts. The red alert signifies "extreme risk" and is the highest level issued by the meteorological agency.
- Heatwave begins, temperatures rise across Spain.
- Peak day: orange warnings in 15 communities, up to 42°C.
- Red warnings for Lleida, Ebro valley, south Valencia; up to 44°C.
- Heatwave continues, temperatures remain high in eastern Spain.
Temperature extremes
On Monday, Seville, Córdoba and Zaragoza are forecast to reach 42°C, while Badajoz, Jaén and Tarragona may see 41°C. Madrid will hit 40°C in several municipalities, with nighttime lows not dropping below 25°C in the capital. The interior of Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria are also under orange alerts with temperatures up to 39°C, though a maritime air mass is expected to bring relief to the northwest from Tuesday.
- Seville
- 42 °C
- Córdoba
- 42 °C
- Zaragoza
- 42 °C
- Badajoz
- 41 °C
- Madrid
- 40 °C
- Valencia (interior south)
- 40 °C
- Lleida
- 40 °C
Health and fire risks
The persistent heat poses a significant health risk, particularly for the elderly and those with cardiovascular conditions. Nighttime temperatures will remain high, with tropical nights forecast across much of the country, hindering rest. The Valencian health department has activated high-risk protocols for numerous municipalities. Meanwhile, the risk of forest fires is extreme across the entire Valencian Community, and Aemet warns of possible dry storms in the interior of Castellón and Valencia.
Outlook
The heatwave is expected to persist until at least Wednesday, with temperatures remaining well above normal. Some relief is forecast for Galicia and the Cantabrian coast from Tuesday, but the eastern third and Ebro valley will continue to bake. Authorities urge the public to avoid outdoor activity during the hottest hours and to stay hydrated.
