Since Saturday, Spain has been facing its first heat wave of the summer, exceeding 40 degrees.

Madrid, June 25 (EFE).- Starting Saturday, Spain will face its first heat wave of the summer, affecting almost the entire peninsula with tropical nights and stifling temperatures predicted to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

National meteorological authorities warned Wednesday that this anomalous situation is the result of stable atmospheric conditions in much of the country, along with the arrival of a very warm air mass from low latitudes.

Although the rise in temperatures will occur gradually, it will become particularly pronounced in some areas of the country starting Saturday, with peak temperatures of 40 or even 42 degrees.

Although temperatures were above normal for this time of year throughout June, it was not considered a heat wave until now, as conditions did not exist to warrant such a spike in temperatures.

To address the term, Spain's official meteorological authority—the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet)—takes into account factors such as the temperature range, the geographical areas affected, and its duration.

Thus, the factors that determine the intensity of these phenomena are the recorded temperatures, their duration, and the affected area, although the "wave anomaly" (the average of the maximum anomalies for the warmest day relative to its threshold temperature) is also taken into account.

According to forecasts, following the drop in temperatures recorded this Wednesday with the retreat of a thermal ridge to the east, a broad mid- and upper-level anticyclone originating from the interior of the African continent will intensify and extend to encompass the peninsula starting Friday.

The official forecast also predicts that this thermal phenomenon will be felt starting Thursday, except in the eastern third of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, located in the Mediterranean. It will spread throughout the country on Friday and Saturday, and generally higher than usual temperatures are expected for this time of year.

The "peak days" of the heat wave will be Sunday and Monday, when temperatures above 40°C will extend to the Tagus Valley in the center of the country, and temperatures will likely exceed 42°C around the Guadalquivir River in the south.

As for minimum temperatures, these will be high in the coming days, with no drop below 23–25°C expected in large areas of the southern half and the Ebro Valley, to the north and northeast, throughout the forecast period.

The forecast also includes "the arrival of this air mass from North Africa will be accompanied by suspended dust starting Sunday afternoon," and the haze could be accompanied by some medium and high cloud cover, adding some uncertainty to the forecast for maximum temperatures during the episode.

The temperature drop will begin in Spain on Wednesday and will extend more sharply to the northern half of the peninsula through Thursday, although the episode of abnormally high temperatures in the southwest quadrant is likely to continue during these days, exceeding 38 to 40 degrees.

Advice for high temperatures

Given the potential health risks posed by the heat wave, authorities have recommended staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, wearing hats or caps, and seeking cool locations.

This year, the Spanish Ministry of Health has also published a regional risk map on its website for affected areas, including the four risk typologies included in the 2025 National Plan for Preventive Actions against the Effects of Excessive Temperature.

For its part, the Red Cross has launched an information and awareness campaign—#OnGuardAgainstTheHeat!—to promote healthy habits that can prevent and reduce the negative impact of extreme heat on health.

The organization has posted a video on its website warning of the "serious health problems" that high temperatures could cause, with the consequences being more severe for certain groups, including pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and people with disabilities. EFE

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