Spain's weather service has issued extreme heat alerts for nine regions, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 42°C this weekend. The orange warning, indicating significant danger, is in effect for Andalucía, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Galicia, and Madrid, among others. In Extremadura, temperatures are forecast to hover around 40°C across the region.
Key Details
The heatwave follows a gradual rise in temperatures that began earlier this week. The most affected areas include the Guadalquivir valley in Jaén and the lowlands of Córdoba and Seville, where temperatures could approach 42°C during peak hours. In Madrid, the Sierra region and metropolitan areas are also under severe warnings, with highs reaching 39°C.
This summer has already seen a series of heatwaves, with meteorologists noting that half of the twelve recorded heatwaves in June since 1975 have occurred in recent years. The current heatwave is expected to last until at least Tuesday, further exacerbating conditions across the country.
Background
The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) reported that nearly 50,000 hectares have burned in Spain this year, with significant damage occurring in Cantabria, where around 15,500 hectares have been affected. The Ministry for Ecological Transition reported slightly lower figures, citing 39,700 hectares burned as of June 21. This year's wildfire season has been particularly severe, with June alone accounting for 15,900 hectares burned.
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The extreme heat and ongoing wildfires could lead to increased insurance claims and impact agricultural yields, particularly in affected regions like Extremadura and Andalucía. Investors will watch for updates on fire containment efforts and agricultural assessments as the heatwave progresses.