Spain braces for early heatwave with temperatures soaring past 35°C

Beach weather is already here. Official forecasts predict highs of at least 35°C in weather more typical of mid-July to mid-August.

This weekend marks the arrival of true summer heat, with temperatures exceeding 30°C across much of Spain on Sunday. Rainfall will be limited to parts of the north and east of the peninsula, according to the spokesperson for Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET.

Temperatures are expected to exceed 30°C in southern, central and even parts of northern Spain. Cities like Zamora, Zaragoza, Madrid and Toledo will hit 30°C, while Badajoz and Córdoba will reach around 33°C. Seville is forecast to top 35°C — about five degrees above average for this time of year.

On Monday, 26 May, temperatures will again rise above 30°C in central and southern regions, with a sharp contrast between north and south. While A Coruña and Vitoria may see just 19°C, Córdoba could reach 34°C and Seville up to 36°C. From Tuesday through at least Thursday, a further rise in temperatures is expected across most of the country.

By Wednesday and Thursday, highs of 34°C or more are forecast in parts of the northeast, the northern plateau, central and southern Spain. Cities like Badajoz, Ciudad Real, Córdoba and Seville may reach or even exceed 36–38°C, particularly on Thursday — full-on summer heat, 5 to 10 degrees above seasonal norms.

In Madrid, AEMET says temperatures will gradually rise, “possibly exceeding 35°C next week.” Even in the north, Bilbao won’t escape the heat, with forecasts suggesting up to 36°C by Friday. The peak of this early heatwave is expected next weekend, although longer-term forecasts may still change.

According to the European weather model referenced by Meteored, high pressure systems are expected to remain over Spain for a prolonged period. A warmer-than-usual June is likely across much of the country.

Beach weather on the Costa Blanca

On the Costa Blanca, after several episodes of heavy rain, the weather is now shifting dramatically. Sunny, dry and increasingly hot conditions are forecast for the coming days.

This weekend, particularly Sunday, will see the first major temperature spike. But the real heat is expected to build through the week. Wednesday, 28 May, is shaping up to be particularly intense: even AEMET, known for its conservative forecasts, predicts highs of 35°C in some inland and pre-coastal areas like Pego — five degrees hotter than the maximum earlier this week, when the sun was already blazing.

Coastal temperatures will be slightly lower, but the heat will still be very noticeable

In fact, Meteored warns of a heatwave similar to those in the height of summer: “Temperatures in Spain will resemble those of the canícula — the hottest stretch of the year, from around 15 July to 15 August.”

This surge in temperatures is due to a strong Azores high system that will dominate the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, creating stable, dry, and sunny conditions and effectively blocking Atlantic storm systems.

What can’t yet be predicted is how long this first heatwave will last — but early signs suggest it could linger. “The peak is likely next weekend, but we still have several days ahead and forecasts may change,” experts caution.

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