Galicia is experiencing an early, intense heatwave, with temperatures climbing to 40°C in several inland areas. Weather alerts have been issued for over half of the region’s municipalities as the first major heat event of the summer coincides with the official start of the season on June 21. MeteoGalicia says the warnings will remain in place at least through Wednesday, affecting 171 out of 313 municipalities. Spain’s AEMET runs the national Meteoalerta warning system, which provides forecasts for adverse weather hazards for up to 72 hours and updates information as conditions develop.
The most severe conditions are expected in the Miño valley in Ourense, Valdeorras and southern Lugo, where temperatures are forecast to approach 40°C, an unusual figure for June. Meteorologist María Souto notes that this month has already broken temperature records, and with several days remaining, further extremes are possible. She also points out that a brief Atlantic air mass brought some relief on Friday, but many locations still exceeded 30°C, while coastal areas moderated by fog hovered around 25°C. AEMET’s observation service publishes station-level readings, including hourly observations for the previous 24 hours and daily extreme values, allowing conditions at individual monitoring sites such as Santiago de Compostela to be tracked.
Saturday is forecast to bring slightly milder conditions, but by Sunday, a warm air mass arriving from the south will lead temperatures higher across much of Galicia. MeteoGalicia’s alert map shows widespread yellow warnings, with highs of 34 to 36°C expected in many areas and up to 39°C in the Miño region of Ourense. The heatwave is projected to persist until at least Wednesday, with daytime and nighttime temperatures remaining elevated. Meteoalerta distinguishes warning levels and hazards, including extreme temperatures, and provides continuing updates during an episode.
Southerly winds are driving the current weather pattern and may also carry Saharan dust into the region, potentially affecting air quality. Intense heat combined with atmospheric instability is likely to trigger isolated thunderstorms, particularly in mountainous areas of Lugo and Ourense. They are expected mainly in the afternoons, as temperatures peak, and are typical when hot surface air leads to the development of convective clouds. The link between hot conditions and air quality also featured in later regional reporting: in October 2026, GCiencia reported that heat had driven Galicia’s ozone pollution to its highest level since 2019.
MeteoGalicia expects Atlantic low-pressure systems to arrive by Friday and potentially displace the hot air mass, signaling a likely change in weather conditions. Souto says recent summers in Galicia have brought increasingly high temperatures, reinforcing the trend toward warmer, more extreme summer weather. She notes that this pattern is consistent with broader climate change, with higher average and maximum temperatures now common in the region’s summer months.
Spain has seen a impressive rise in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves over the past decade, with 2022 and 2023 both recording some of the hottest summers on record. Galicia, traditionally known for its milder climate, has not been immune to these changes. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has repeatedly warned that early and prolonged heatwaves are becoming more common, increasing risks for vulnerable populations and placing additional strain on health and emergency services.
