Temperatures are rising sharply across Spain as a heat dome puts forty-one provinces under official alert. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warns that highs could reach forty-two degrees in some areas, with the most serious warnings in the Ebro valley and northeastern lowlands. After two weeks of milder weather, hot, dry air carrying dust from North Africa and the Alborán Sea has moved in.
Most of the country is affected, but the Balearic and Canary Islands are not under alert. Aemet says provinces including A Coruña, Alicante, Almería, Castellón, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Málaga, Pontevedra, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife are also outside the warning zones. The agency links the sudden heat to a low-pressure system southwest of the peninsula and steady high pressure over North Africa. Together, they are funneling hot air across much of Spain.
"The peak of the heat episode is expected on September 5, with red alerts issued for 41 provinces across 15 autonomous communities."
El Mundo
Daytime temperatures are set to climb further in the Mediterranean and the northern half of the country. By contrast, western Galicia, Extremadura, and western Andalusia may see a slight drop as Atlantic air moves in. The most intense heat will hit the Ebro valley and southern river basins, where temperatures are expected to top forty degrees. Nights will stay warm, with lows of twenty-four to twenty-five degrees in the southwest and around twenty-two in the northeast. Meteorologists describe these as 'tropical' and 'scorching' nights.
Authorities warn that fire risk will be very high or extreme, especially as instability and suspended dust increase from Friday. Storms may develop over the weekend, though Aemet says their strength and duration remain uncertain. Despite the severity of the episode, the agency does not plan to issue a special heatwave alert, citing its likely short duration and uneven impact.
"Information from Reuters, Spain recorded 2,149 heat-related deaths last month, highlighting the serious public health risks posed by extreme temperatures. This summer has also been one of the warmest on record, with August 2026 ranking among the hottest months ever observed by Aemet."
Reuters
The forecast points to gradual cooling from the west as the low-pressure system moves closer. On Saturday, highs will still approach forty degrees in the Ebro valley and southern lowlands. By Sunday, a more noticeable drop is expected in western Spain, especially in Galicia. The Ebro valley and northeast may still see highs above thirty-nine degrees, while temperatures could rise again in the eastern Cantabrian region.
Nights will stay unusually warm through the weekend, especially in the southwest, where lows may not dip below twenty-five degrees. Early next week, high temperatures are likely to persist in the southwest and eastern interior. A broader cooldown should bring values closer to normal by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Spain has faced more frequent and severe heatwaves and wildfires in recent years. This episode follows a pattern of sudden weather shifts, as seen with the recent Atlantic storm that brought rain and cooler air to some regions. These swings complicate planning for residents and emergency services, which must quickly switch between fire prevention and storm response. The current heat dome highlights Spain's growing climate risks and the increasing difficulty of emergency planning. The decision not to declare a formal heatwave alert, despite widespread warnings, reflects a cautious approach to unpredictable weather. For millions in the affected provinces, the next few days will test personal endurance and the capacity of local infrastructure and emergency services.
