Spain’s warm weather begins to come to an end as temperatures set to plunge

If you are still dressing for summer in mid-October, you are not alone. Spain is enjoying temperatures more typical of the warmer months, with parts of Andalucía approaching 35°C. But while the heat is set to continue through Friday, the southeast could see heavy showers before a possible DANA brings a much sharper drop in temperatures over the weekend.

Wednesday, October 14, through Friday, October 16, will bring another stretch of unusually warm weather across much of the country. Madrid, Málaga, Murcia and Alicante will all remain warm, although the risk of rain will vary considerably by region. The north is expected to begin cooling first, while southern Spain holds on to the heat.

Wednesday brings more summer-like temperatures

Wednesday is expected to remain warm across much of Spain, with sunshine and temperatures well above average for mid-October. Madrid could reach around 27°C, while Málaga is expected to see highs in the upper 20s. Murcia and Alicante will also remain warm, with temperatures around the high 20s, although coastal cloud and showers could affect parts of the southeastern Mediterranean.

In Andalucía, the heat will be particularly noticeable inland. Sevilla and parts of the Guadalquivir valley could reach around 32°C to 34°C, while coastal areas such as Cádiz and Málaga should be a little cooler. Most of the country should remain dry, but the southeast is an exception. Showers could develop along parts of the Murcia and Almería coasts, with some locally heavy downpours possible. Anyone travelling along the Mediterranean coast should check the latest local forecast before setting off.

Thursday stays hot, but showers threaten the southeast

Thursday, October 15, should bring another day of summer-like temperatures across much of Spain. The mercury could approach 30°C in parts of Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, while Huelva and Sevilla may exceed 32°C.

Málaga should remain warm, with daytime temperatures in the upper 20s. Murcia and Alicante will also see high temperatures, but the risk of rain will be more significant in parts of the southeast, particularly along the coast. AEMET has warned that showers could become locally heavy around Murcia and Almería, with isolated rain possible elsewhere in southern Andalucía.

For anyone hoping for a proper autumn feel, Thursday is unlikely to deliver it across most of the country. However, the combination of warm air and developing instability could make conditions change quickly in areas affected by showers.

Friday brings the first signs of a change

Friday, October 16, should remain warm across central and southern Spain, but the north is expected to begin cooling as a weather front approaches. Temperatures could fall noticeably in Galicia and along the Cantabrian coast, with rain forecast in the Cantabrian region and the Pyrenees. Elsewhere across the northern third of the mainland, isolated showers are possible.

Andalucía is expected to hold on to the warmth, with Huelva and Sevilla potentially remaining above 32°C. Málaga should also stay warm, while Murcia and Alicante could continue to see high temperatures, although local showers remain possible. In the Canary Islands, temperatures are expected to change little, with coastal areas likely to remain above 25°C during the day.

A sharp temperature drop could follow at the weekend

The bigger change is expected after Friday, when a possible DANA could bring a substantial drop in temperatures and more unsettled conditions. In central Spain, daytime highs could fall from around 27°C on Friday to 23°C or 24°C on Saturday, then to around 19°C or 20°C on Sunday. Parts of the north could feel much colder, with highs of only around 12°C in cities including Ávila, Burgos, León and Soria.

The system could also increase the risk of heavy showers around the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands, particularly from Sunday. The exact timing and location of the worst conditions remain uncertain. For now, much of Spain has a few more days of warmth ahead. But anyone planning to be outdoors this weekend should keep an eye on our upcoming forecasts, particularly along the Mediterranean coast, where the change could bring both rain and a sharp fall in temperatures.