Spain issues red heat alerts as 44C temperatures hit in latest July warning

Catalonia has issued its first red-level heat alerts of the summer while many heat-related deaths have already been recorded across Spain in the opening days of July. Meteocat, the Catalonian meteorological service, has activated the highest alerts for inland parts where temperatures are expected to go over 43ºC on Tuesday. Andalucia meanwhile faces peaks up to 44ºC under the same intense heatwave that began on Sunday, July 5, and will likely run until at least until Wednesday. The MoMo monitoring system operated by the Carlos III Health Institute recorded the 213 deaths nationally.

Catalonia issues first red-level heat alerts

Meteocat has activated red warnings for extreme heat across inland Catalonia from Tuesday midday. These areas face the strongest risk with possible readings above 43ºC. Orange and yellow alerts cover the rest of the region as temperatures rise sharply from midday and stay extreme through the afternoon and evening.

Wednesday is expected to bring even more nocturnal heat warnings with nighttime lows above 27ºC and extended risk of wildfires. Red alerts then extend with temperatures in Barcelona possibly going over 36ºC.

153 heat-related deaths recorded in early July

MoMo system data from the Carlos III Health Institute show 213 deaths attributable to high temperatures in the first days of July. Catalonia accounts for 57 of the July total while Andalucia has registered 24 and the Basque Country 18. Smaller numbers appear elsewhere including Extremadura, Navarra and Galicia.

The system compares observed daily deaths against expected figures to estimate excess mortality from all causes. It detects patterns linked to extreme temperatures but does not assign individual causes. Most associated deaths result from worsening cardiovascular, respiratory or renal conditions. Figures receive continuous updates as delayed notifications arrive and reach final status only after several weeks.

Andalucia braces for peak readings up to 44ºC

AEMET is keeping orange warnings in Huelva, Seville, Cordoba and Jaen with yellow in Cadiz and Granada. Orange status warnings continue inland on Tuesday while yellow alerts spread to the full coastline including Almeria and Malaga. Peak intensity will run until Wednesday with maximums up to 44ºC in the Guadalquivir valley.

Cordoba faces some 44ºC on Wednesday. Seville faces peaks of 43ºC, Jaen will reach 41ºC in the Guadalquivir valley. Coastal Cadiz, Almeria and Malaga are expected to see 35 to 38ºC peaks yet suffer tropical nights of 24 to 25ºC. A moderate decline is expected to arrive from Thursday in the southwest though Cordoba, Jaen and Granada will keep on to its very high readings.

Atmospheric structures are said to be trapping warm dry air over the country combined with strong solar radiation and a western storm front. This setup is producing stability with clear skies and no rain which increases solar heating. Interaction with the western storm system allows Saharan dust and warm dry air to worsen southern conditions while rain shortfall last month raises forest fire danger across Andalucia.

Protection protocols are still active across regions

The Andalucian regional government is continuing its protocol against effects of excessive temperatures on health in force until the end of September. Catalonia authorities are calling on residents to exercise utmost caution over health risks and fire dangers throughout the heatwave. Fourteen regions are operating alerts with orange level in Andalucia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia and Madrid while yellow covers seven further regions.