This weekend, Spain will experience moderate weather conditions as a prelude to the intense heat expected next week. After a cooler Friday, July 12, temperatures will rise slightly over the weekend but will remain lower than earlier in the week. Overall, the weather will be stable until Sunday afternoon, when thunderstorms and showers are forecasted.

Rain and Storms: Expected Areas and Timing

Most regions will enjoy stable weather this weekend. However, the Mediterranean coastal areas from Murcia to Tarragona will see notable rainfall on Saturday morning, July 13. Valencia and Castellón will receive the heaviest rain, with some areas potentially accumulating over 10mm. These showers are expected to dissipate by the afternoon.

On Sunday, July 14, light morning showers will appear in Galicia and will become more significant by the afternoon with the approach of a cold front. This front will bring thunderstorms and showers from Sunday afternoon through Monday evening, especially affecting central Galicia, northwest Castilla y León, and Asturias. Other northern and western regions may experience light showers.

Temperature Trends for the Weekend

Temperatures will rise gradually over the weekend, with the most significant increases in the Ebro Valley, where Friday’s drop in temperature will be followed by local rises exceeding 8ºC.

On Saturday, maximum temperatures will reach around 35ºC in inland regions, slightly lower in the northwest and Ebro Valley. The southeast and southern areas will be the hottest, with Córdoba expected to hit up to 37ºC. On Sunday, Murcia might see temperatures reaching 36ºC, with Zaragoza potentially surpassing this figure.

In the northwest, Castilla y León will see temperatures climb above 30ºC, while the Cantabrian region, including Gijón and Bilbao, will enjoy highs above 25ºC.

Early Next Week: Preparing for the Heatwave

Early next week, temperatures will remain moderate across Spain. The cold front passing between Sunday and Monday will slightly cool the northwest. However, the west winds associated with this front will cause significant temperature increases in the eastern peninsula.

By Monday, temperatures in Murcia and the Valencian Community could reach 40ºC. The Ebro Valley and Guadalquivir regions will also see high temperatures around 38ºC. Inland regions will experience temperatures between 30ºC and 34ºC, while the western areas, such as Cáceres and Zamora, will remain below 30ºC. In Galicia, maximum temperatures will generally stay below 25ºC.

Mid-Week Temperature Increase

On Tuesday, temperatures will start to drop in the Mediterranean arc and the Ebro Valley but will rise elsewhere. This trend will accelerate on Wednesday, July 17, affecting even areas that saw a drop on Tuesday.

By Wednesday, widespread regions could see temperatures reaching 35ºC, including parts of Castilla y León and the Basque Country. The southern plateau, Guadalquivir Valley, and Ebro Valley might see temperatures soaring to 40ºC, signaling the start of the expected heatwave.