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The heatwave boiling most of Europe this week has seen extraordinary temperatures above 42°C in large parts of central and southern Spain but believe it or not, the worst is yet to come. The mercury is set to climb even higher in the coming days, reaching a sweltering peak of 44-45°C in some regions over the weekend.

 

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has already extended the end-date of the heatwave from Sunday to Tuesday August 12 but all of the weather models indicate that the temperatures will continue to be abnormally high throughout next week and well into the second half of the month.

 

On Thursday August 7, the temperature rise will be felt almost everywhere. Heat alerts are in place across most of inland Spain, as well as the Balearic and Canary Islands.

 

 

Friday August 8 could see another spike in some areas, although most places will experience temperatures similar to Thursday. Large parts of the country’s interior are expected to top 36 to 38°C.

 

The hottest spots will likely be the valleys of the Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir rivers, where thermometers could surpass 40 or even 42°C. Similar conditions are forecast in the Ebro and Miño valleys as well.

 

 

In the Canary Islands, the heat is building too. Temperatures could exceed 34 to 37°C in midland areas and along the southern, eastern and western slopes, with highs of 38 to 40°C not ruled out as the weekend approaches.

 

As we move into the weekend, forecasts become less certain, but all signs point to further increases on Saturday August 9 and Sunday August 10. These days are expected to mark the peak of the heatwave.

 

 

On Sunday, highs of 36 to 38°C are likely across much of inland Spain, as well as inland Mallorca and the southern and western slopes of the Canaries. Temperatures of 40 to 42°C will persist in the same hot zones, with some inland areas of the Basque Country also in danger of reaching these levels.

 

 

The Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys could see temperatures climb to 42 or 43°C, and in particularly exposed areas, the heat may push up to 44 or even 45°C.

 

These weekend highs are between 8 and 12°C above the seasonal average for much of inland Spain.

 

 

Although the heatwave is officially set to end on Tuesday August 12, there's still a great deal of uncertainty around what comes next. A shift in weather patterns is possible early next week, with an Atlantic front potentially moving in from the northwest. This could bring some cooling to northern areas starting Monday.

 

Still, much of Spain will remain under the grip of extreme heat, with temperatures continuing to sit well above average - some 8 to 10°C higher than usual - until at least the middle of next week.

 

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Images: Aemet