Temperatures in Málaga province climbed close to 41°C on Monday, prompting the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) to maintain an orange alert for high temperatures. Coín recorded the highest reading, 40.8°C at 18:00, making it the region’s hottest spot. Estepona and Manilva also reported highs near 40°C, as did Málaga Airport. Central Málaga was slightly cooler, with the city centre registering 36°C.
The ongoing terral wind, known for its dry heat, drove the temperature spike. Aemet said the orange alert, which indicates moderate risk to the population, remained in effect for the western Costa del Sol and the Guadalhorce Valley, as well as the capital. The agency warned that temperatures could again reach 40°C on Tuesday, especially in the Guadalhorce area, while nighttime lows were expected to stay around 25°C. Aemet’s Meteoalerta structure provides forecasts and updates on hazardous weather, including high temperatures, for periods of up to 72 hours. Such “torrid” or “equatorial” nights, when the mercury does not fall below 25°C, are particularly challenging for residents. Without air conditioning or fans, restful sleep can be difficult.
Humidity also affected how hot it felt. In some areas, including Avenida Ortega y Gasset, humidity fell to 25%, intensifying the dry heat. Meteorological communicator José Luis Escudero said similar temperatures would feel even more oppressive with higher humidity. The terral effect was strongest in the upper Guadalhorce Valley and western coastal areas, while conditions in the city centre were slightly milder.
Aemet forecast that the orange alert would continue along the coast on Tuesday, with another day of extreme heat possible. By Wednesday, the terral wind was expected to weaken and the alert level to fall to yellow. Relief was forecast from Thursday, 6 August, as easterly winds (levante) were expected to arrive and bring temperatures down by around eight degrees. Daytime highs in Málaga were expected to return to seasonal norms of about 30°C, while nighttime lows should fall to 21 to 22°C. The sea breeze was expected to raise humidity, but, potentially making conditions uncomfortable if cloud cover or haze developed.
July 2026 was one of the warmest on record for Málaga, though it did not break historical records. José Luis Escudero said it was the third hottest July since records began at Málaga Airport, with an average temperature of 28.2°C. Only July 2023, at 29.4°C, and July 2015, at 28.3°C, were hotter, reflecting a run of increasingly warm summers in recent years. Nationally, Spain matched its previous July record with a provisional average of 25.7°C, equalling the figure set in July 2022. A later Aemet seasonal assessment ranked 3 and 4 August among the summer’s hottest days, alongside 23 and 24 July. Málaga’s summer maximum reached 44.6°C. Torremolinos recorded a minimum of 29.4°C in the early hours of 3 August, showing how the heat persisted overnight. Extreme weather also hit other parts of Europe: Western Switzerland recently faced similar record-breaking heat and severe storms, part of a wider European pattern of summer climate extremes.
For residents and visitors in Málaga, staying hydrated and avoiding outdoor activity during peak hours are especially impressive during the heatwave. They should also take precautions during hot nights. Persistently high nighttime temperatures pose particular risks to vulnerable groups because they can limit recovery from daytime heat and worsen health problems. The terral wind is familiar in the region, but it continues to disrupt daily life as extreme weather events become more frequent.
