Weather conditions will shift across Spain this Monday as a new Atlantic front moves over the peninsula, bringing a noticeable drop in maximum temperatures across much of the country. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) expects rain to spread across the northwest through the afternoon, while much of the country gets a brief respite from the recent heatwave. The change will not be uniform: maximum temperatures are forecast to rise in the east and basic mainland, and in the Balearic Islands, even as they fall elsewhere across the Peninsula and the Canary Islands.
Relief will be uneven. The northeast, particularly the lower Ebro area and the province of Lleida, is expected to face intense storms with a risk of hail. Storms could also reach other parts of Catalonia and Aragón. AEMET has forecast strong or torrential showers and thunderstorms in the Valencian Community, southeastern coastal areas and the Balearic Islands during the early hours. The risk of storms will persist even as rain eases in some areas. Despite the broader cooling, high temperatures will persist in the south and east, where thermometers are forecast to exceed 35°C. Heat alerts will take effect from midday in Andalucía, Aragón, Catalonia, the Region of Murcia and the Balearic archipelago.
Gran Canaria is expected to be the hardest-hit area, with a red alert issued because temperatures could approach 40°C during the day. The Canary Islands will also face strong trade winds and suspended dust, adding to the difficult conditions. Nights will bring little relief in the southeast and Balearic Islands, where minimum temperatures are expected to stay above 20°C. In some coastal and island areas, temperatures may not fall below 25°C or even 30°C overnight.
The front will bring heavily overcast skies to the northern half of the peninsula. In the south, variable cloudiness should clear as the day progresses. Calima, or Saharan dust, is forecast for the Canary Islands and the Alborán Sea area, potentially reducing air quality. Winds will be moderate from the west along southern coasts and from the south on the Galician coast. The Canary Islands will face very strong gusts throughout the day. National temperatures can fall even as localized heat, heavy rain and wind hazards persist.
The weather changes follow a period of intense heat and instability across southern Europe. Similar patterns have appeared elsewhere, as a recent report on record temperatures and severe storms in western Switzerland shows, reflecting the broad impact of this summer's extreme conditions.
In recent years, Spain has experienced increasingly frequent heatwaves and abrupt shifts between hot and stormy periods. AEMET issues alerts to help residents prepare for sudden changes, particularly in regions prone to temperature extremes or severe storms. Its warning system sets out different risk levels for hazards such as extreme heat and torrential rain, alongside thunderstorms, coastal conditions and strong gusts. The red alert for Gran Canaria is the highest warning level, indicating a impressive risk to health and daily life. Residents in affected areas are advised to follow updates and take precautions against heat and sudden storms, which can disrupt transport and outdoor activities, and sometimes power supply.
