Temperatures will top 35 degrees in parts of Spain this week as the veranillo de San Miguel brings a late-September heatwave to Galicia, Catalonia and the southwest. This familiar weather pattern is driving a sharp rise in daytime highs, along with a spell of calm, settled conditions.
The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) says high pressure will keep skies mostly clear or lightly clouded across the country, with plenty of sunshine in most areas. Early in the day, low clouds could appear in Galicia, along the Cantabrian coast, in the upper Ebro, the Balearic Islands, the southern Mediterranean and western Alborán. Melilla and the Strait could see brief drizzle, but the clouds should clear as the day goes on.
In early September 2026, El Granado in Huelva recorded 45.7°C, one of Spain's most extreme September highs ever recorded, AEMET said.
In the Canary Islands, the north will see some clouds, while the rest of the islands will have bright, open skies. Morning fog could form in northern Galicia, the Cantabrian region, the upper Ebro and the Balearics. Small patches of fog are also possible along the Mediterranean pre-coastal areas, while haze could drift over the Canaries.
The steepest temperature rises will affect the northern half of the peninsula, especially the northeast and northwest, as well as both island groups. Mid-altitude and highland areas in the Canaries could see a strong increase. Elsewhere, temperatures will stay about the same, but valleys in the southwest, low-lying parts of Galicia and Catalonia are all set to exceed 35 degrees.
By mid-September 2026, average temperatures across large regions of Spain were more than 4°C above normal, information from data reported by Eltiempo.es via Europa Press. The ongoing anomaly led AEMET to issue heat warnings in several autonomous communities, including Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura and Madrid. Peaks of 35°C to 38°C were expected in the south, northeast and Canary Islands.
Nighttime lows will mostly hold steady, with slight increases in the northern half and the Canaries and some drops in the southeast. Tropical nights, when it stays hot even after sunset, are likely for many along the southern Mediterranean coast and the lower Guadalquivir.
Wind will also shape conditions. Moderate easterly winds are expected in Alborán, with strong gusts in the Strait that should ease later. The Cantabrian coast will get moderate easterlies. The Canaries, southeast and Galician coasts will see moderate to strong northerly and northeasterly winds. Elsewhere, light winds from the north and east will be common. The Ampurdán and northern Balearics will get moderate tramontana, while the Ebro valley will see cierzo.
This late heatwave shows how sharply Spain's weather can shift, with summer heat returning as autumn begins. People living in or visiting the hottest regions should stay hydrated and protect themselves from the sun.
