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WEATHER

Heatwave: These are the 10 hottest places to avoid in Spain this week

As mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands are hit by a punishing heatwave, these are the places where the mercury will climb highest and probably should be avoided if possible.

Published: 25 June 2019 08:50 CEST
Heatwave: These are the 10 hottest places to avoid in Spain this week
Plaza de España, Seville. Photo: CRISTINA QUICLER / AFP
Spain’s state weather agency AEMet has put out a heatwave warning, predicting highs in the 40s starting on Wednesday and running at least through to Monday July 1st.
 
And contrary to what you might expect, it’s not just the south that will be seeing high temperatures. Meteorologists are predicting that the northeastern and central parts of the Iberian peninsula will be hit hardest.
 
 
Keeping that in mind, here’s a list of 10 places in Spain to avoid during the upcoming heatwave based on AEMET's temperature forecast for the next week. 
 
Zaragoza
 
The capital of Aragon and the surrounding Ebro River valley will likely claim the unfortunate title of 'most unbearable temperatures in Spain' this week. Temperatures are predicted to surpass 40ºC by Thursday, peaking at 44ºC on Saturday and not dropping back down into the 30s until well into next week.
 
Photo: Jordi Paya
 
Toledo
 
Spain's 'Imperial City' and much of the Tajo River valley south of Madrid are predicted to see the peninsula’s highest temperatures on Thursday (42ºC) and Friday (43ºC), then stay in the lower to mid-40s for the rest of the weekend. Let’s hope that all the marzipan doesn’t melt.
 
Photo: Nic McPhee/Flickr
 
La Rioja
 
Spain’s vineyard region in the North will be getting a heavy dose of sunshine and heat this week, hitting 43ºC on Friday.
 
 
Córdoba
 
Unsurprisingly, “the frying pan of Spain” in northern Andalusia will see some of the country’s highest highs on Saturday, when temperatures are predicted to climb to 44ºC.
 
Gerona and Lleida
 
Catalonia’s northern provinces will be seeing uncharacteristically high temperatures towards the end of the week, with Lleída and Girona reaching 43ºC and 44ºC, respectively, on Saturday. At least the folks in Girona can go to the beach…
 
Extremadura
 
Extreme indeed: Badajoz should hit 44ºC on Saturday, with Cáceres not far behind at 41ºC.
 
Ciudad Real
 
Like most of Castilla-La Mancha, Ciudad Real will see high temperatures, peaking around 42ºC on Saturday, and lots of sun – makes it hard not to think of that Picasso painting…
 
 
Jaen
 
The high elevations of the Sierra Morena will not save Jaen from the heat this weekend, with the mercury set to rise to 42ºC on Saturday.
 
Granada
 
Unlike Málaga to the west and Almería to east, Granada will not be spared from 40ºC temperatures during the heatwave, with daytime highs around 41ºC Thursday through Saturday. Too late to turn back for all those poor folks who bought their Alhambra tickets months in advance.
 
Photo: Ronny Siegel
 
Madrid
 
The Spanish capital will live up to its reputation for sweltering summers, reaching the 40s on Thursday and most likely staying there through to Monday – the day that Madrid Central’s pollution-reducing traffic restrictions will effectively cease to be enforced.
 

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WEATHER

Spain urges holidaymakers to head home early due to snow and strong wind warnings

Nine Spanish regions were put on alert on Tuesday for heavy snow, rain and strong winds, with the country's traffic authorities calling for people taking holidays this long weekend to head home early to avoid the worst of the bad weather.

Published: 7 December 2021 12:48 CET
Spain urges holidaymakers to head home early due to snow and strong wind warnings
Vehicles stuck in traffic due to a heavy snowfall near Burgos, northern Spain, in March 2021. Photo: Cesar Manso/AFP

Aragón, Castilla y León, Catalonia, Navarra and the Basque Country will be on orange alert from Tuesday for snow storms, while Asturias, Cantabria, La Rioja and La Comunidad Valenciana are on the less-severe yellow alert, Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) announced.

A slight increase in temperatures will increase the risk of avalanches in the Pyrenees and the central Cantabrian mountain range.

Some roads in the north of the country are already being affected by snow and are being restricted to some traffic such as trucks and heavy vehicles.

Spain’s traffic authority (DGT) called on residents in the northern half of the country to return early from the puente (long weekend) marked by the public holidays of December 6 and 8, ahead of heavy snow forecast for Wednesday.

Of the 108 main roads affected by the heavy snow in Spain, almost half of them are in the northeastern region Aragón.

Aragón, Catalonia and Navarra are at risk of avalanches, according to data from Aemet, while a storm warning has been issued for the coastal areas of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Catalonia and the Basque country.

Heavy rainfall is expected in Galicia, extending to Cantabria and the western Pyrenees.

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