Spain has quickly shifted from dealing with storm alerts to now facing extreme heat. This week, the country is under widespread warnings as a wave of intense heat spreads, with orange alerts already in place in parts of Andalucía.

In Sevilla, temperatures reached 39.6°C on Wednesday, May 28, and are expected to climb even higher over the coming days. According to Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), this is not just a warm spell, it’s an unusually early and extreme heat episode for this time of year.

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Orange Warnings for Andalucía and Yellow Alerts Elsewhere

The worst of the heat is being felt in Andalucía, where Sevilla and nearby areas are under an orange warning, meaning temperatures are likely to exceed 40°C. These high-risk conditions are expected to last through at least Saturday, May 31.

Other provinces such as Badajoz, Córdoba, Huelva, and Jaén are also forecast to reach 38–40°C. Meanwhile, yellow alerts are active in regions like La Rioja, Zaragoza, Huesca, and Lleida, where maximums are set to hit 36–39°C. On Thursday, May 29, temperatures will also spike across Navarra, Aragón, and parts of Cataluña, making it a nationwide concern.

Night-Time Heat Makes It Harder to Rest

It’s not just the daytime highs that are causing problems. In many places, especially in the south and along the east coast, night-time temperatures aren’t dropping below 22–24°C. These so-called ‘tropical nights’ are particularly difficult for vulnerable people and can affect sleep and general wellbeing. Cities like Murcia, Valencia, and Alicante will likely experience these warm nights through the weekend, making it important to find ways to stay cool, even after the sun goes down.

The Islands Also Feeling the Heat

The heat isn’t just confined to the mainland. The Balearic Islands, especially Mallorca, are expecting temperatures between 32 and 34°C from Friday to Monday. In the Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is set to be the hottest, with highs above 32°C over the weekend. Although the trade winds may bring some relief next week, the islands will still experience above-average temperatures for this time of year.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

When temperatures are this high, it’s essential to take precautions. Health experts recommend drinking water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Try to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, wear light-coloured, breathable clothing, and avoid intense physical activity outside. Pay special attention to children, elderly people, and those with health conditions, as they are more at risk of heat-related illness. If you don’t have air conditioning, try to stay in shaded or ventilated areas, and consider visiting public buildings that are kept cool.

A Warmer and Drier Start to Summer

Looking ahead, the weather models for June 2025 show little sign of relief. This unusually early heat is expected to be just the beginning, with forecasts suggesting a hotter and drier start to summer across almost all of Spain. While the official astronomical summer doesn’t begin until 21 June, meteorologically speaking, summer kicks off on 1 June, and it’s arriving in full force.

Predicción hasta el próximo domingo
➡️🌡️Episodio extraordinario de temperaturas máximas; serán las propias de pleno verano, especialmente en los valles de los grandes ríos.
➡️Sólo se esperan chubascos ocasionales el jueves en el noroeste y el viernes en la mitad norte peninsular pic.twitter.com/9kuQE5uumF

— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) May 27, 2025

Drought Concerns Remain Despite Full Reservoirs

June is normally one of the driest months of the year in Spain, with an average rainfall of just 31 mm. This year looks to be even drier, especially on the mainland and in the Balearic Islands. Only the Canary Islands are expected to see typical levels of rainfall. Fortunately, the country’s reservoirs are currently at 77.4% of capacity, which is higher than this time last year and above the average for the past decade. That provides a helpful buffer, but continued dry conditions could put pressure on water supplies as summer progresses.

Could This Be the Hottest May Since 1950?

AEMET has warned that this late-May heatwave could break records. Temperatures between 29 May and 1 June are expected to be among the highest ever recorded in May since at least 1950. This ‘extraordinary’ event is being driven by a mass of very warm air from North Africa, pushing temperatures well beyond what’s considered normal.

In Madrid, highs of 35°C are likely, while in places like Zaragoza, Badajoz, and Córdoba, the heat could climb as high as 40°C. This follows a worrying trend, with more heatwaves being recorded in June in recent years, including one of the most extreme ever in 2022.

When Will the Heat Ease Off?

There is some good news. AEMET’s forecasts suggest that temperatures will start to dip slightly from Sunday, especially in the north and in western Andalucía. A more noticeable drop is expected between Monday and Tuesday next week. However, the eastern regions may continue to see above-average heat, with cities like Valencia and Murcia staying well above 34°C into midweek. While it’s too early to be sure, the possibility of another heat spike later in June can’t be ruled out.