Aemet updates your special notice for the heat wave. The agency has alerted at noon this Friday that the current episode will be extended until at least Thursday, August 14, one more day than what it estimated in its previous report. This announcement comes amidst an ongoing extreme heat wave that has gripped much of Spain.
The Spanish Meteorology Agency (Aemet) emphasizes that the situation remains unchanged; a warm and dry air mass of African origin continues to dominate the weather across the Peninsula. This phenomenon, combined with the high summer insolation , is contributing to thermal values that are significantly higher than the usual norms for this time of year.
For this Friday, no substantial changes are anticipated, with only minor variations expected in the third northeast and light descents in the southwest. However, Saturday is forecasted to bring moderate descents in the northern parts of the Peninsula and an increase in temperatures in the southwest. Over the next two days, temperatures are expected to exceed 36-38 ºC throughout much of the interior of the Peninsula, potentially reaching as high as 40 ºC in the Valleys of the Tagus, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir .
Moreover, a favorable atmosphere for the development of isolated thunderstorms is likely in the central-south and the Pyrenean regions today, with a shift expected towards the Central and Iberian northern systems tomorrow. The most notable impacts associated with these storms will be strong wind gusts, which can be exceedingly hazardous in some areas.
Looking ahead to Sunday, predictions indicate that temperatures will rise sharply in the peninsular north, as well as along the Catalan coastlines and the southwest third . By Monday, further temperature increases are anticipated along the coastlines of Levante, the Eastern Cantabrian region, and Southwest Extremadura, while significant declines will occur in the northwest third. Consequently, temperatures could reach between 40-42 ºC in the valleys of the southwest quadrant and around 40 ºC in both the Ebro Valley and the Northeast Depressions.
“Red notice” for “very high temperatures” in the Canary Islands
In a related alert, the State Meteorology Agency (AEMET) has issued “Red notices” for extreme heat across the Canary Islands. This weekend’s warnings will affect Gran Canaria on Saturday and will extend on Sunday to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Tenerife .
The latest update in climatic predictions, made in a brief statement via Telegram, underscores the extraordinary danger posed by the anticipated weather in the Canary Islands over the next two days. The agency predicts very high temperatures , particularly on Gran Canaria, with assessments showing that maximum temperatures could exceed 40 ºC and minimums hovering between 28 and 30 ºC.
Aemet previously indicated that the Canary Islands met the conditions necessary to be classified under the heatwave criteria, which has been affecting the country since Sunday, August 3. At present, the islands are under an ‘orange’ (important risk) notice, particularly for the eastern, southern, and western regions, as well as the peaks of Gran Canaria. This alert is also applicable in parts of Tenerife.
Meteorologists have cautioned residents and visitors to remain vigilant, as temperatures could soar to 40 degrees in some areas , coupled with nighttime minimums remaining abnormally high at around 30 degrees in many locations. Heat safety precautions are highly advised, including staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, and monitoring local advisories.
As the heatwave continues to impact both mainland Spain and its islands, individuals are urged to stay informed about the latest weather updates and take preventive measures to ensure their wellbeing during this extreme climatic event. Awareness and preparedness can mitigate risks associated with heat-related health issues, and maintaining vigilance is key in these sweltering conditions.