Spain enters August with a changing pattern of weather risks. Most of the peninsula is seeing orange heat alerts lifted, while Andalusia remains under high-temperature warnings and several eastern provinces brace for intense storms and hail. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasts that, despite a general easing of extreme heat, temperatures will still reach 35°C across much of the country, with peaks of 40 to 42°C expected on Andalusia’s Atlantic side. The Pyrenees and eastern areas including Comunidad Valenciana, Albacete, and Murcia are on alert for heavy showers, hail, and potentially damaging gusts. Heat can remain intense in the south even as storms bring localized risks in the east.
Saturday’s forecast points to a complex weather pattern. Most regions will see stable conditions, but Galicia and the western Cantabrian coast are set for cloudy skies and light, scattered rain, which should ease as the day progresses. Cooler Mediterranean air will bring a noticeable drop in temperatures across the eastern third of the peninsula. Low clouds are expected in the Strait of Gibraltar and western Alborán, as well as parts of the northern and Mediterranean coasts. Storm clouds developing in the east could bring severe downpours, hail, and strong winds, especially in the eastern Pyrenees, the lower Ebro area, Murcia, Albacete, and Comunidad Valenciana, where severe localised events are possible.
AEMET’s Meteoalerta system communicates risks by territory and severity, covering hazards such as extreme heat, heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and damaging winds. Its forecast horizon extends up to 72 hours, and the agency says it updates information as hazardous phenomena develop. That structure reflects the two-sided outlook: easing heat warnings do not necessarily mean weather risks are falling overall when thunderstorms could bring intense rainfall, hail, or powerful gusts in specific locations.
Morning fog is likely in the Balearic Islands and northern Spain, with coastal mist in the Strait and Alborán and dust haze across southern regions. The Canary Islands will see intervals of low cloud in the north and clearer skies in the south. Temperatures will top 35°C, with moderate winds carrying Saharan dust.
Maximum temperatures are expected to rise slightly in most areas, particularly in the north and northwest, but fall in the eastern third and northern Balearics. Large parts of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands will remain above 35°C, with the highest readings on Andalusia’s Atlantic side and in the Genil basin. Minimum temperatures will also climb, except in the northeast, where they will drop. Tropical nights are forecast for southern Spain, the northeastern depressions, and the Mediterranean. Some areas in Andalusia, Murcia, and the Canaries will not cool below 25°C. Winds will be moderate on the coasts of Asturias and Galicia and light elsewhere, strengthening in central and southern Spain later in the day. Northerly winds will prevail in the Cantabrian region, while southerlies and easterlies are expected in the Balearics and eastern Spain, with westerlies elsewhere.
Regional forecasts show how much conditions will vary. Galicia and Asturias can expect cloudy skies and light rain, especially in the north, with fog in higher areas. Cantabria and the Basque Country will see similar conditions, with scattered showers likely in the Basque northwest. Castilla y León, Navarra, and La Rioja will mostly have clear skies, though mountain areas may see some cloud development and isolated showers. Aragón and Catalonia face a risk of afternoon storms, particularly in the Pyrenees and southern Tarragona, with dust haze also present. Extremadura and Madrid will remain mostly clear, but temperatures in Madrid’s south and centre could reach 38 to 39°C. Castilla-La Mancha, especially Albacete, faces a risk of strong storms with hail and gusts, while interior valleys could reach 38°C. Comunidad Valenciana and Murcia are on alert for severe storms, hail, and strong winds, especially inland. The Balearic Islands will have tropical nights and some morning fog, while Andalusia faces continued heat and possible storms in eastern mountain areas. The Canary Islands will see high temperatures and dust haze, with strong winds in exposed areas.
Recent weather in eastern Spain has already shown the potential for severe hail. A powerful storm hit the interior of Valencia, disrupting crops and infrastructure. For more on the impact, see this report on recent hail damage in Valencia’s rural areas.
Spain’s varied geography means weather risks can shift rapidly between regions. Lingering heat in the south and storm threats in the east mean local authorities and residents need to stay alert. AEMET updates regional warnings frequently through Meteoalerta, which provides a rolling outlook of up to 72 hours and tracks hazardous conditions as they develop. People in affected areas, especially Andalusia, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, and Albacete, will need to follow official advisories and prepare for both heat and sudden storms in the coming days. Persistent tropical nights in many regions also raise concerns for vulnerable populations, since high overnight temperatures can affect health and comfort. Saharan dust in the south and the Canaries may further affect air quality.
