40C heat before storms bring a change midweek: Alicante weather forecast August 3-6

Inland parts of Alicante province are expected to reach 40C before temperatures gradually ease later in the week, with forecasters warning that showers and thunderstorms could develop

August is getting off to another scorching start across Alicante province, with temperatures reaching  40C before the weather finally begins to change later in the week.

After what has felt like a summer of continuous heat alerts, many people will be hoping for some relief. The good news is that it's on the way, but first the temperatures are expected to climb even higher before showers and thunderstorms begin to develop from Wednesday onwards.

That's fairly typical for August. As stormier weather starts to break up the heat, temperatures usually become a little more comfortable, and once the storms clear, the air can begin to feel less humid, too.

So, while there is some welcome relief in sight, hopefully, we'll have to get through the hottest part of the week first. Here's a day-by-day breakdown of what to expect across Alicante province: 

Monday August 3

The week begins with another hot and sunny day across Alicante province, although there will be some cloud at times before brighter spells develop later in the afternoon. Temperatures will be similar to those seen over the weekend, reaching 39C in Orihuela, 38C in Alcoy, 35C in Elche, 33C in Dénia and 32C in Alicante city. Winds will be light, becoming southerly during the hottest part of the day.

Tuesday August 4

Tuesday is expected to be the hottest day of the week. While the coast will once again wake up to some cloud before sunshine takes over, inland areas will see temperatures climb even higher. Orihuela is forecast to hit 40C, with 37C expected in both Alcoy and Elche, 34C in Dénia and 33C in Alicante. Winds will be light with an easterly breeze developing through the afternoon.

Wednesday August 5

By Wednesday, the weather begins to show signs of changing. It will still be another warm day, but temperatures will ease noticeably, with highs of 34C in both Orihuela and Elche, 32C in Alicante and Dénia, and 34C in Alcoy. Cloud will build inland during the afternoon, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms across the northern half of the province.

Thursday August 6

The heat begins to ease a little more on Thursday, although temperatures will be well above 30C across much of the province. Highs are expected to reach 35C in Orihuela, 34C in Alcoy, 33C in Elche, and 32C in both Alicante and Dénia. There is a greater chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms developing inland, with some of those showers potentially spreading to other parts of the province, although they are expected to be more isolated and less intense.

So, is this the beginning of the end of this summer's relentless heat, or are we just getting a few days to catch our breath before the heat alerts return? With August only just getting started, I wouldn't be putting the fans away just yet.

Minimum and maximum temperatures in Alicante this week:

Monday August 3: Min 21ºC; Max 39ºC
Tuesday August 4: Min 22ºC; Max 40ºC
Wednesday August 5: Min 21ºC; Max 35ºC
Thursday August 6: Min 20ºC; Max 34ºC

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Images: Aemet