The weather in Spain these days is surprising even the most seasoned meteorologists. At the start of autumn, the country has come under the influence of a persistent anticyclone, bringing not only clear skies but also record-high temperatures for this time of year. Residents of the southern regions, especially in the Guadalquivir Valley, are having to cope with the heat as temperatures there reach up to 40 degrees.
It’s not just the south suffering from the heat. In the northern and eastern regions, including Cantabria and the headwaters of the Ebro, temperatures have also risen sharply. In some cities in the north and center of the country, the air is heating up to 35 degrees and above, which feels more like the height of summer than autumn days. On the Mediterranean coast, in the Ebro Valley, and on the northern Meseta, the heat is particularly intense.
The nights are offering no relief from the heat. Along the entire Mediterranean coast, in the lower reaches of the Ebro, and in the southwest of the peninsula, temperatures do not fall below 20 degrees, while in the Canary Islands, some places remain as warm as 25 degrees even at night. The eastern islands of the archipelago are experiencing another heatwave peak, with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees and dense calima worsening visibility and air quality. The wind is shifting, intensifying the sultriness and creating an oppressive sense of heat.
Only in the area of the Strait of Gibraltar is the sky overcast, with occasional showers possible. Thunderclouds may form in the eastern mountain ranges of the peninsula and in the central Canary Islands, but precipitation will be rare and short-lived. Meteorologists warn that the heat will persist for a few more days, but a sharp change in weather is expected by the end of the week. Rain is forecast for northern regions, and temperatures will drop noticeably. Such fluctuations are typical for the beginning of autumn, as summer gradually gives way to the new season.
