Heatwaves are fast becoming more frequent and more deadly as global emissions continue to rise and it seems Spain will experience its first one of the year this week.
Temperatures are predicted to reach 38ºC in inland and southern areas of the country. Spaniards expect this kind of heat in July and August, rather than the middle of May.
The heat follows one of the rainiest winters in 50 years, reflecting the weather extremes that are part of climate change-induced changes in weather patterns.
Where in Spain will be hottest this week?
Spain's national meteorological agency, AEMET, says the hottest places will be in western Andalusia, in the south-west of the country. Temperatures of up to 34ºC are expected in Córdoba, 35ºC in Seville and 32ºC in Jerez de la Frontera. Extremadura will also be very hot with temperatures of 35ºC in Mérida and 32ºC in Cáceres.
The mercury will also be high in some parts of Castilla-La Mancha, rising to 33ºC.
Spain's north coast will see temperatures more in line with averages for this time of year, with predictions of 21ºC in San Sebastián, 23ºC in Oviedo and 20ºC in A Coruña on Wednesday, rising a few degrees by Thursday.
Less extreme temperatures will be seen on the Mediterranean coast and in northern Spain. Valencia is expected to reach 27ºC by Wednesday, but could be up to 30ºC by Thursday.
The situation will be marked by the advance of an anticyclonic dorsal, which will favour lightly cloudy skies and a generalised increase in temperatures in a large part of the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Rain will be more limited to the extreme north of the peninsula, according to weather forecasts.
The increase in temperatures will also be noticeable during the night in some areas of the south and the Mediterranean coast, where the minimum temperatures will be significantly higher than in previous days.
Although stable weather will prevail in most of Spain, AEMET does not rule out someshowers and stormsin areas of the northeast of the peninsula over the next few days.
