Spain is preparing for another surge of extreme heat, with meteorologist Luismi Pérez warning that surface temperatures could exceed 45°C in some regions. The current episode, described as the second heatwave of summer 2026, was forecast to ease on Thursday, July 9, though high temperatures were expected to persist. Regional forecasts put daytime highs at 36 to 38°C across much of the country, with 38 to 40°C possible in the Ebro and Tajo valleys, as well as the Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys, parts of Valencia and Murcia, and southern Huesca and Lleida. Valencia and Alicante could reach 41 to 42°C, while inland Mallorca and Ibiza were forecast to see 40 to 41°C.
Pérez’s warning concerns the potential for surface heat above 45°C; regional maximum-temperature forecasts describe a separate measure and a broad range of conditions. That distinction matters when interpreting a heat alert: a high-risk scenario does not mean every listed region is expected to record the same temperature. A later seasonal assessment citing AEMET data put mainland Spain’s summer mean at 24.5°C and reported a maximum of 44.4°C, illustrating the severity of the season.
Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) operates Spain’s Meteoalerta system, which provides geographically detailed warnings and forecasts for adverse weather up to 72 hours ahead. It updates them as hazardous conditions develop. Residents are urged to follow official alerts and take particular care during the hottest hours, especially older people and those with existing health conditions. Persistently warm nights can also increase health stress by limiting the body’s recovery from daytime heat; parts of the Balearic Islands were forecast to experience overnight lows of about 20 to 27°C.
The heat episode was also expected to give way to possible thunderstorms and locally heavy showers in the Iberian System and the Pyrenees, with showers also possible in the upper Ebro. Across the wider region, a report citing Copernicus Climate Change Service data described Western Europe’s June and July period as the hottest in its observational record, with a combined average temperature of 21.62°C. Reduced precipitation and soil moisture across several European countries have heightened concerns about heat impacts and wildfire risk.
Authorities are closely monitoring conditions and advising people to use official channels for updated warnings. In Navarra, emergency services have also played a central role in managing high temperatures at public gatherings. The start of San Fermín 2026 in Pamplona was marked by heightened heat alerts and a strong presence of emergency personnel, as detailed in this report on public safety measures during extreme weather.
Spain’s heatwave risk extends beyond a single forecast period, with high temperatures posing potential challenges for public health and other areas, including agriculture and infrastructure. The current heatwave was expected to begin easing on Thursday, but the forecast offered no immediate return to normal temperatures. Residents are urged to stay informed through official channels and follow recommended precautions as the country faces another period of potentially record-breaking heat.
