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As Spain welcomes the summer solstice this Saturday June 21, the country is already experiencing intense heat more typical of late July or August. Temperatures in recent days have climbed above 40ºC in parts of the country, marking the second significant heat episode before the official start of summer. Nights have also remained unusually warm, particularly along the Mediterranean and in the south, where temperatures are barely dipping below 22 to 24ºC in some parts.

 

Relief is on the horizon for some regions. According to Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), a slight drop in temperatures is expected from Thursday June 19 onwards, particularly in Galicia and the far west of the Iberian Peninsula. However, for the rest of the country, the heat will persist, with the northeast and central regions expected to reach highs of 36ºC or more, and parts of the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys climbing to 40ºC.

 

Alongside the heat, unstable conditions will bring frequent storms. This Thursday, thundery showers are likely in Cantabria and across much of the central, inland peninsula. These could be locally intense, especially near the Ebro, and Aemet has issued weather warnings for stormy conditions and intense heat across much of the country. Afternoon storms may also bring hail and strong gusts to inland areas, with calima dust in suspension possible in the western peninsula and eastern Canary Islands. Conditions in the Canary and Balearic Islands will remain largely unchanged, though some low cloud and fog are likely along coastal areas.

 

 

On Friday June 20, thunderstorms are again expected inland in the eastern third of the peninsula, particularly in mountain areas. Early mist and fog may linger in the north, while the rest of the country enjoys a mix of sunshine and occasional high cloud. The heat will remain widespread, with highs again exceeding 36ºC in much of the south, northeast and the northern plateau. Some coastal areas will see a slight dip in temperatures, notably in Huelva in the south and Galicia in the north.

 

Saturday 21 – when the start of summer is signalled by the summer solstice and the longest day of the year – brings more settled weather, though storms remain a risk, especially in the eastern interior. Clear skies are expected across most of the country in the morning, with cloud building later in the day. Temperatures will again exceed 38ºC in the Ebro Valley, southeast interior and parts of the southern Atlantic coast. The northwestern regions will experience a welcome drop in temperatures.

 

By Sunday 22, another pulse of instability will move in from the Atlantic, bringing more widespread showers and thunderstorms to the northern and southeastern halves of mainland Spain. While maximum temperatures are expected to fall slightly in many areas, the heat will remain intense in the south and northeast, with highs still reaching 38-40ºC in several inland regions.

 

 

Image: Aemet