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Scorching summer heat on the way: Spain weather forecast May 18-21
Daytime temperatures will climb well above 30°C across most of Spain by midweek
Average temperatures expected on Thursday May 21
After what's felt like a very long run of unsettled weather, things are about to change in a big way. An African heat ridge pushing into Spain from the west is going to send temperatures soaring across most of the mainland this week, with Friday shaping up to be the hottest day of the year so far.
Monday May 18
Monday kicks off the warm-up, with the Azores High extending eastward and bringing stable, improving conditions to most of mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands. Temperatures will rise across much of the country, although the Atlantic coast and Catalonia will be the exceptions.
Catalonia will see cloudy skies with rain and thunderstorms, potentially heavy and persistent in the northeast during the afternoon and along the coast in the early hours. Rainfall totals of more than 20 litres per square metre are possible in Girona and parts of Barcelona province.
Tuesday May 19
The African ridge will move directly into Spain on Tuesday, bringing a mass of very warm air with it. Light rain may linger in Catalonia and Galicia, but across the rest of the country temperatures will continue to climb.
Highs of 30°C are expected to start appearing in inland areas of Murcia, the Ebro Valley and the Valencian Community, giving the first real taste of summer heat after weeks of grey skies and rain.
Wednesday May 20
Wednesday is when the heat really starts to make itself felt across the country. Temperatures will exceed 30°C not just in the areas already mentioned but also in Madrid, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, inland Andalucía and inland Catalonia.
Seville is expected to be the hottest spot, with the mercury hitting 33 or 34°C, and that's in the shade.
Thursday May 21
Thursday looks set to follow the same pattern, with temperatures above 30°C in almost every region except the island communities and the Cantabrian coast. The Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys will see highs of between 34 and 36°C, with Seville reaching 36°C, Badajoz 35°C, Toledo 34°C and Madrid pushing up to 32°C.
Night-time temperatures will also stay stubbornly high across the south, making for some uncomfortable evenings.
Looking ahead to Friday May 22, it's shaping up to be the hottest day of 2026 so far, with temperatures of up to 37°C expected in Seville and 34°C in Madrid.
For more weather news go to our Weather & Climate page or follow the Spain Weather Watch Facebook group for regular updates
Images: Aemet
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