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Spain is facing a dramatic weather double act this week as violent storms give way to an unusually intense heat wave that could grip much of the country until next weekend.

 

The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warns that severe thunderstorms will continue hammering the country's interior over the next few days, particularly affecting central, eastern and northern regions. These storms pack a powerful punch with fierce wind gusts and damaging hail alongside torrential downpours.

 

At the same time, much of Spain can expect to swelter through another heatwave. Starting Tuesday June 17, temperatures will climb relentlessly across Spain, with thermometers hitting 35°C in many areas and soaring beyond 40°C throughout the southern half of the country.

 

"The heat Spain will experience next week will be highly unusual for this time of year," warns Nacho Espinos Conejo, meteorologist at Meteored. Cities like Sevilla could see temperatures reach a blistering 43°C, while Córdoba faces highs of 41°C. Some parts of the Guadalquivir Valley may even exceed 43°C.

 

 

The new week will begin with temporarily cooler conditions in Mediterranean areas and the Balearics on Monday June 16, but this relief won't last. Tuesday marks the start of the serious heat build-up, spreading nationwide and intensifying through Wednesday June 18.

 

From Tuesday onwards, expect widespread temperatures above 34°C, rising to 35°C across the country by Friday June 20. The country's river valleys of the Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir will bear the brunt, with temperatures climbing above 40°C. Madrid will hit 38°C, but the Tagus Valley faces an almost certain 40°C, while much of Extremadura in the Guadiana Valley will likely surpass this mark.

 

 

Even nighttime will offer little respite, with minimum temperatures refusing to drop below 20 to 22°C across Mediterranean regions and central and southern Spain.

 

The intense heat is expected to persist across large swathes of Spain until at least next Saturday, making this one of the most significant early summer heat events in recent memory.

 

 

Images: Aemet