Spain braces for second major heatwave in just over a week

Spain is preparing for its second major heatwave of the summer after Aemet issued a special warning ahead of a new spell of extreme heat expected to begin on Sunday, July 5.

The latest episode comes only days after a late-June heatwave that ran from June 21 to June 24. Forecasters say the new surge will intensify on Monday, July 6, before easing gradually, though some outlooks suggest hot conditions could linger into Wednesday, July 8.

Cadena SER reported on Saturday, July 4, that preventive alerts were already active in nine autonomous communities. The same reports said orange and yellow warnings were in place as temperatures climbed across much of the country.

Where the heat will hit hardest

The strongest heat is expected in western Galicia and the interior of the Basque Country, according to EL PAIS. Aemet's special warning also points to severe conditions in several of Spain's major river valleys.

Temperatures could exceed 42C in the Guadalquivir, Guadiana, Tajo and Ebro valleys, as well as in parts of Extremadura and Andalusia. Cadena SER said many areas were already facing highs in the 37C to 39C range before the peak arrives.

Canarias is also expected to feel the heat, with around 35C forecast in the south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

Nighttime heat raises the risk

The daytime temperatures are only part of the problem. Forecasts also point to very warm nights, with tropical nights above 20C and torrid nights above 25C in some places.

That matters for public health because bodies get less chance to recover when temperatures stay high overnight. It also makes the episode harder for people without effective cooling at home, and for those who have to work outdoors during the day.

Aemet's warning and the broader risk

Aemet's special warning frames the episode as a serious health and wildfire threat. The agency has warned that vulnerable people, including older adults and those with cardiovascular disease, face increased risk during prolonged heat.

The dry conditions also raise fire danger. Heat, storms and accumulated drought can all make wildfire spread more likely, particularly if the forecast holds through the middle of next week.

Spain's early-summer weather pattern has already been severe. The country went through a late-June heatwave, and EL PAIS said June 2026 was the second-warmest June on record in Spain, behind only June 2025.

What happens next

The key question is how long the heat persists and whether more regions are pushed into higher alert levels. Some reports say the episode may last at least until Tuesday, July 7, while others extend it to Wednesday, July 8.

Residents in affected areas are being urged to follow official advisories, avoid unnecessary exposure during the hottest part of the day and take extra care at night, when temperatures may remain dangerously high.

Local health and civil-protection authorities are expected to update guidance as the heatwave develops and as Aemet refines its forecasts.