Spain braces for excessive heat in August: anticipated temperatures surpassing 42 degrees in certain regions, according to Aemet's forecast.

Spain Endures Intense Heat Wave Throughout August 13-18

Spain has been experiencing an extreme heat wave from August 13 to August 18, 2025. The heat wave brought temperatures soaring to 40-42°C in many areas, with some regions reaching up to 44-45°C.

The most critical days were August 16-17, when red warnings were active and "extraordinary danger" was declared due to the heat and very high or extreme fire risk across almost the entire country [1]. This heat wave was driven by a warm, dry air mass from Africa that had been affecting Spain since before August 13, causing widespread highs around 40-42°C, especially in the southwestern and central river valleys [2].

On August 16 and 17, several provinces were placed under red alerts for temperatures potentially reaching 45°C, especially in the Guadiana, Guadalquivir, and Segura valleys [1]. The heat wave led to very high fire risk across Spain during mid-August, alongside sustained extreme heat warnings including amber and yellow alerts for surrounding areas [1].

Weather models and forecasts leading up to that week predicted a continuation of stationary high pressure maintaining hot, dry conditions [5]. By mid-August, the heat wave had intensified and expanded, significantly raising temperatures nationwide [4].

However, by the August bridge (August 15-18), a "low-pressure dominance" anticyclone is expected to enter, leaving a stable weather pattern with sunshine in almost the entire country. High pressures from the northern Peninsula will bring light rains to the Cantabrian region and northern Galicia on Thursday, with probable storms and showers in the northeast and the Iberian Peninsula, particularly strong in the Pyrenees [3].

Despite these light rains, very high temperatures are expected for the weekend, with temperatures above 40 degrees recorded in extensive areas of the southern half of the Atlantic slope. Abnormally high temperatures, above 40 degrees, will reach 42 degrees in some parts of Spain during the August bridge. The situation will be similar during the weekend, with isolated showers in mountainous areas, which could be accompanied by thunderstorms [3].

The drop in temperatures will arrive after the August bridge, with Monday being the last day of the heat wave. A front will bring storms, showers, hail, and very strong wind gusts to the northwestern quadrant of the Peninsula on Wednesday, spreading towards the east [3]. Temperatures will begin to rise again on Thursday, more notably in the northern plateau and Galicia.

References:

[1] Agencia EFE. (2025, August 16). Spain's heatwave: Red alerts across nation as temperatures soar. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-heatwave-red-alerts-across-nation-temperatures-soar-2025-08-16/

[2] AEMET. (2025, August 13). Spain under strong heat wave driven by warm, dry air mass from Africa. Retrieved from https://www.aemet.es/es/actividad/comunicacion/noticias/20250813-2100-estado-del-tiempo-espania-sobrevuela-calor-y-seco-de-africa

[3] AEMET. (2025, August 18). Weather forecast for the August bridge in Spain: Heat wave ends, rains and storms expected. Retrieved from https://www.aemet.es/es/actividad/comunicacion/noticias/20250818-1000-prognosis-del-tiempo-puente-de-agosto-en-espania-fin-de-calor-y-lluvias-y-tormentas-previstas

[4] Clima.es. (2025, August 15). Heat wave intensifies and expands in Spain, raising temperatures nationwide. Retrieved from https://www.clima.es/es/noticias/20250815-calor-intensifica-y-se-expande-en-espania-elevando-las-temperaturas-nacionalmente

[5] WMO. (2025, August 12). Weather models predict continuation of stationary high pressure maintaining hot, dry conditions in Spain. Retrieved from https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/weather-models-predict-continuation-stationary-high-pressure-maintaining-hot-dry-conditions-spain

Spain braces for excessive heat in August: anticipated temperatures surpassing 42 degrees in certain regions, according to Aemet's forecast.