Jaén province placed under red heat warning with temperatures forecast to reach 44C

Red warning for Jaén

AEMET has issued a red heat warning for parts of Jaén province for Tuesday, June 23, with temperatures forecast to reach 44C in Sierra Morena and El Condado.

The agency’s highest-risk window runs from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., when the most severe heat is expected in the areas covered by the red alert.

Other parts of the province are also under heat warnings. The Valle del Guadalquivir is under an orange alert with highs of up to 43C, while Cazorla and Segura are forecast to reach up to 40C under orange conditions. Jaén capital and the province’s mountain areas are under yellow warning, with temperatures around 39C.

Part of a wider heat wave

The alert comes as Spain experiences its first major heat wave of the summer. Reporting across the country says temperatures are climbing well above normal for the date, with the episode affecting much of Spain and continuing into midweek.

AEMET’s wider guidance has warned that some areas could approach 44C. Coverage of the event also links the heat to a mass of hot Saharan air and a DANA positioned west of the Iberian Peninsula.

The broader episode is expected to continue on Wednesday, with orange warnings forecast in several comarcas. That means dangerous conditions are likely to persist in Jaén after the peak red-alert period on Tuesday.

Public health risks

The main risks are for older people, children, outdoor workers and anyone with existing health conditions. Exposure during the hottest hours can quickly become dangerous, especially inland and where overnight temperatures stay high.

Local services may also face strain during the hottest part of the day, and prolonged extreme heat increases wildfire risk across the region.

Nearby authorities are already responding to the situation. In Córdoba, local officials have activated extraordinary measures in response to the red-level heat, underlining the seriousness of the weather episode in Andalusia.

What to watch next

The key question on Tuesday is whether AEMET keeps the red alert in place through the evening or adjusts the warning pattern as conditions change.

Another point to watch is whether local governments in Jaén announce closures, schedule changes or other heat-safety measures.

Forecasters will also be watching whether temperatures in Sierra Morena and El Condado actually reach the forecast peak of 44C.