Spanish heatwaves will be delayed in 2026: Jorge Rey’s predictions say expect a turbulent first half of year

The young Jorge Rey, Spanish weather predictor, who hasn’t gotten his predictions wrong so far, says that Spain’s first heatwave of 2026 will arrive much later than usual and that the worst of the weather will likely fall over the UK.

Jorge Rey, a young Spanish meteorologist from Burgos known for his expertise in the traditional “cabañuelas” method of weather forecasting, a folk system based on observing natural signs, has built a reputation for accurate predictions through his popular YouTube channel. At just 20 years old, Rey combines ancient techniques with modern insights, and his track record has earned him a loyal following.

In his latest video, Rey outlines a turbulent weather pattern for Spain in 2026, marked by a delayed winter onset, abrupt temperature swings, and extended periods of cold that could disrupt holidays like Carnival and Easter.

February 2026: Mixed fronts and frosts

Rey predicts that February will kick off with northwestern fronts bringing heavy rains to western Spain and slight drops in snow levels. By February 6 to 7, conditions improve temporarily, with instability clearing from the Cantabrian region in the North around February 9 to 10, thanks to an anticyclone over the UK stabilising the atmosphere. However, a cold air influx on February 12 to 13 could lead to widespread frosts and storms in the eastern parts of Spain. Mid-month, around February 17-18, milder temperatures return briefly, but new fronts from February 21-24 will deliver winds, rains, and spotty cold snaps in northern and central areas.

The traditional Candelaria saying, “if it’s cold on Candelaria, 40 days of winter follow“, won’t apply this year. On February 5, expect more rain than snow nationwide, though isolated snowfalls aren’t ruled out. El Niño‘s influence will favour westerly winds, early rains, and moderate days interspersed with cold bursts.

March 2026: Warming trends with disruptions

March begins with a temperature rise, but ongoing storms will keep rains flowing in the west, creating sharp shifts between cold and mild days. A dust storm (calima) episode around March 17 to 18 will bring warmer air, while late March and early April will see polar cold weather return, potentially causing snow in northern and central regions, even during Easter, a traditional return to the beaches for Spain. Rey warns of mid-altitude snowfalls in the month’s final days.

April 2026: Rain, heat, and storms

April promises a mixed bag: rains in western areas around April 8, followed by an anticyclone on April 12 to 13 pushing temperatures up quite a bit. Storms will likely hit the Southwest on April 16 to 17, affecting Extremadura, Huelva, Seville, and mostly Cadiz. By April 18 to 19, Atlantic moisture will form a low near Morocco, bringing more calima dust to Andalucia and localised storms in Malaga, Almeria, Murcia, and the Canary Islands. Late April sees fronts from Galicia in the North, with rains in the north and west, plus mountain frosts and snow from continental cold.

May and June 2026: Transition to the real Spanish summer

May features southerly winds spiking temperatures on May 7 to 8, then rainy fronts on May 9 to 10 impacting the West, Canaries, and South. Cold northerly winds follow on May 11 to 12, risking late snow and frosts in the north. The second half brings more instability and cooler air, with milder days toward the month’s end.

Rey forecasts the first really summery temperatures won’t arrive until mid-June, but no extreme heatwaves early on. This signals the start of climatological summer, with true heat delayed unusually late.

In his approachable style, Rey tells viewers to stay vigilant with late snows and volatile shifts affecting all of Spain. Expect the unexpected, but don’t expect the traditional sweltering heat until at least June. El Niño is in effect bringing turbulent weather in 2026.