Spain is under a nationwide weather alert, with every autonomous community activating warnings for extreme heat, intense rainfall or severe storms. The alerts fall under the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología’s (AEMET) Meteoalerta structure, which covers extreme temperatures and other hazards, including heavy precipitation, thunderstorms and wind. The agency provides detailed warnings for up to 72 hours and monitors conditions as hazardous weather develops.
Heat warnings are in effect across much of the country, including Andalucía, Aragón, Baleares, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña, Extremadura, Galicia, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra, La Rioja, Comunitat Valenciana and Canarias. Temperatures in these areas are expected to exceed 35°C, with many localities forecast to approach or reach 40°C. The most serious heat alerts, at orange level, are concentrated in Andalucía, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña and Madrid, where the risk is considered impressive. These are forecast maxima. AEMET publishes station observations separately from warning forecasts, which describe expected risk rather than temperatures already measured.
In Andalucía, the orange alert covers the Córdoba countryside, the Morena and Condado areas of Jaén, the Guadalquivir Valley in Jaén, and the Sevilla countryside. Temperatures in all these areas are expected to reach or approach 40°C. Aragón will see its highest readings in the Pyrenees of Huesca, central and southern Huesca province, and the Cinco Villas area of Zaragoza, with peaks of up to 39°C. Madrid’s metropolitan area, the Henares corridor, and the southern, Vegas and western zones are also under orange alert, with forecasts of up to 39°C.
Storm and rain warnings are widespread too. Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña, Murcia, Navarra, País Vasco, La Rioja and Comunitat Valenciana are all on alert for heavy downpours and thunderstorms, often accompanied by hail or strong gusts. The heaviest rainfall is expected in the Cuenca mountains, the Albarracín, Jiloca, Gúdar and Maestrazgo areas of Teruel, and inland Valencia province, where hourly accumulations could reach 30-40 liters per square meter. Orange-level rain alerts are in place for large parts of Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón and Comunidad Valenciana. AEMET updates its warnings as forecasts and observations evolve, so alert levels and affected areas can change.
In Cataluña, temperatures of up to 40°C are forecast for the central depressions of Tarragona and Barcelona, as well as Lleida, the pre-coastal areas of Girona and Barcelona, and the Ampurdán region. The rest of the peninsula and Baleares are under yellow alerts for heat, rain or storms, indicating a lower but still impressive risk. Gran Canaria also faces a yellow alert for heat, particularly in the highlands and the eastern, southern and western parts of the island.
In recent weeks, emergency services in Spain have responded to similar weather extremes, including violent storms and record winds in the Valencia region. For example, powerful storms in Alcoi and Villena caused impressive disruption and prompted emergency interventions. They also showed how vulnerable many areas remain to sudden weather shifts.
Spain’s alert system uses a color-coded scale: yellow indicates lower danger, orange impressive danger, and red extraordinary danger. Yellow warnings still call for attention, particularly from vulnerable people and those undertaking exposed activities; orange alerts signal a more serious risk. High temperatures combined with sudden storms can strain infrastructure and disrupt transport, while also raising the risk of localized flooding or heat-related health incidents. Residents are advised to follow official guidance and stay hydrated. During peak alert periods, they should avoid unnecessary travel. Extreme weather patterns across the Iberian Peninsula have become more pronounced in recent years.
