Madrid will be under an orange alert for high temperatures this Friday, with a sharp change in weather expected as the day progresses. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) forecast calls for mostly clear or lightly cloudy skies in the capital, with a high of 38°C. Aranjuez is forecast to reach 39°C. The heat comes as a broader Spanish heatwave begins to ease, but inland areas are not expected to get immediate relief.
No rainfall is expected during the first half of the day, but showers could develop later, with storms possible as evening approaches. Cloud is expected to build over the mountains, where isolated, mainly dry storms may form. Maximum temperatures across much of Spain are forecast at 36 to 38°C, rising to 38 to 40°C in several interior valleys and other exposed areas. In Madrid, minimum temperatures are forecast near 24°C, with a minimum perceived temperature around 23°C.
Saturday’s forecast points to continued unsettled weather. The morning will bring intervals of cloudiness, with storms likely to develop around midday. Temperatures are expected to ease slightly, with highs of 34°C and lows near 22°C. The maximum perceived temperature could reach 31°C, while the minimum will feel closer to 21°C. Winds will remain light and predominantly from the southeast, offering little relief from the heat.
On Sunday, the likelihood of rain is expected to increase further. Intervals of cloudiness are forecast from the early hours, followed by light showers as the day progresses. The maximum temperature will remain around 34°C, while minimums are forecast to drop to 19°C, bringing some respite from the previous days’ heat.
Nearby municipalities will also see the changing weather pattern. In Brunete, the day will begin with clear skies, but cloud cover and light rain are expected from midday onwards. Temperatures there will range from a minimum of 22°C to a maximum of 39°C. Talavera de la Reina will have clear conditions in the morning, shifting to intervals of cloudiness after noon. The minimum temperature is forecast at 21°C, with highs reaching 41°C.
Other towns, including Tomelloso, Valladolid, Salamanca, Soria, Teruel, Zaragoza, Granada, A Coruña, Torrevieja, Tarragona, Benalmádena, Huesca, Cádiz and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, are also included in the broader forecast, with varying cloud cover and temperature fluctuations expected. A recent report on violent storms and record winds in southern Valencia examines the challenges sudden weather changes have brought to other regions.
AEMET’s station network records hourly observations and daily extremes, as well as accumulated precipitation. Those records distinguish forecast temperatures from readings measured at individual locations. Its Madrid-area stations include Madrid-El Goloso and Puerto de Navacerrada, showing how conditions can vary between the metropolitan area and higher elevations. The agency also publishes warnings by region and hazard, using yellow, orange and red levels. The applicable threshold depends on the location and the specific weather threat.
Reported by Dana Adam in El Cronista on July 9, the forecast places Madrid’s heat within a wider shift toward cooler air and greater atmospheric instability. Residents should follow AEMET updates as the forecast evolves, particularly as high temperatures coincide with the potential for storms. The orange alert signals a impressive weather hazard and calls for increased caution.
Spain’s weather warning system uses color-coded levels to communicate the severity of expected hazards. Orange denotes a impressive risk, while the specific criteria vary by phenomenon and affected area. Heat and thunderstorms are among the hazards covered by AEMET’s official warning bulletins, which specify the locations and validity periods.
