The intense heatwave gripping much of Spain is easing across most regions, but Catalunya is preparing for another surge in extreme temperatures next week. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) has officially ended the heatwave for the Peninsula, while the Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya (SMC) will keep its heat alert active through Friday. A brief respite is expected on Saturday, but forecasts point to a return of high temperatures from Monday, with the risk period likely to last until at least Friday, July 17. The national and regional alert systems operate separately: Aemet’s Meteoalerta service issues warnings for adverse weather across Spain for a forecast horizon of up to 72 hours, while the SMC issues regional alerts. So the end of a national heatwave declaration does not, by itself, mean Catalunya’s regional alert has ended.
Information from the SMC, the coming days will bring only a temporary dip in temperatures. Heat thresholds may still be exceeded in parts of inland Catalunya on Friday, while Saturday should bring a short break with no official warnings. Temperatures are expected to climb again by Sunday, returning to the extreme values recorded earlier this week. Observatorio Fabra in Barcelona recently registered 40.9ºC, while Vinebre in Ribera d’Ebre reached 41.1ºC, among several new heat records. Portbou also endured a stifling night, with the minimum temperature holding at 31.9ºC. Aemet’s station observation service publishes hourly measurements, daily extremes and accumulated values, offering a way to track conditions across its national network.
This summer’s heatwave in Catalunya is unfolding in two distinct phases. The first, marked by three days of intense heat, has just ended. The second is expected to begin next week, with meteorologists warning that the region could face another spell of oppressive temperatures, particularly during the first three days of the week. SMC experts say it remains uncertain whether Catalunya will surpass its all-time record of 45.5ºC, set in Figueres last July. Temperatures above 42ºC, and possibly 43ºC, are likely in some areas.
The greatest risk remains inland, especially in the Pla de Lleida, including Segrià, Urgell, Noguera, Pla d’Urgell and Garrigues, as well as central Catalunya and the Empordà. The pre-coastal zone is also expected to suffer, and Barcelona could again face oppressive conditions. The heatwave’s duration stands out, with comparisons to last August’s 11-day event. The SMC says a more impressive drop in temperatures may not arrive until July 17 or 18, potentially bringing the current alert to an end.
Across Spain, Aemet forecasts milder weekend conditions, with temperatures above 40ºC mainly in the northeast. Rain is expected in the Cantabrian region and mountain areas, while the western third of the Peninsula should see more moderate temperatures. Zaragoza, Ourense, Pamplona and Lleida are forecast to reach 40ºC on various days, while coastal cities such as A Coruña, Cádiz and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will be cooler. On Sunday, temperatures will fall in the west and center, especially in Galicia, but rise again in western Andalucía and the Pyrenees. The Mediterranean and Balearic regions will remain very hot, with some areas more than 10ºC above normal.
Next week’s forecast remains uncertain. Monday should bring cooler air to the far north, but temperatures will rise again around the Mediterranean, with the increase expected to last into Tuesday. The western Peninsula may see seasonally cool conditions, while the northeast and Mediterranean remain unusually hot, particularly in parts of País Vasco, Navarra, Aragón and Catalunya.
A later heat episode in 2026 also showed how persistent high temperatures remained in the region. In a report dated October 23, El Cronista said Aemet forecast temperatures of 40ºC to 41ºC in western parts of Catalunya’s basic depression, even as the heatwave was expected to begin easing elsewhere. That later forecast is separate from the July alert described here, but shows that extreme heat continued to feature in forecasts for Catalunya during the year.
Spain’s weather extremes are not limited to heat. The country is also preparing for major sporting events such as the Tour de France, which begins in Barcelona this year. The opening stages are expected to test riders with high temperatures and challenging terrain, as recent coverage of Isaac del Toro’s debut with UAE Team Emirates in the 2026 edition noted. For more on how these conditions could affect international events, see the report on the Tour de France’s Barcelona start.
Heatwaves have become more frequent and severe in Spain over the past decade, often straining public health systems and infrastructure. A separate estimate reported by Catalan News attributed 1,587 heat deaths in Barcelona to climate change over the summer of 2026; that seasonal figure covers a wider period and does not count deaths from this specific heatwave. Authorities continue to urge residents to take precautions, especially in high-risk areas. The cycle of heat surges and brief lulls makes extreme weather harder to forecast and manage as the climate changes. Local and national agencies remain on alert for further developments as summer progresses.
