The AEMET sets a date for the next episode of extreme heat: these will be the areas where temperatures will approach 44 degrees

The heat will intensify again in Spain starting this weekend. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has announced that from Saturday a new episode of very high temperatures will begin that will last throughout the next week and could bring readings of up to 42 or 44 ºC in some points of the southern peninsula.

The rise in temperatures will begin this Saturday

According to AEMET, the change in weather will be caused by the strengthening of an atmospheric blocking pattern and the presence of a DANA to the west of the Peninsula, a situation that will favor the entry of a very warm, dry air mass loaded with suspended dust coming from North Africa.

As a consequence, temperatures will begin to rise generally from Saturday, especially in the interior of Andalucía, where 40 ºC may already be reached or exceeded in valleys and low-lying areas.

On Sunday the rise will be more pronounced in the eastern half of the Peninsula. In addition to Andalucía, 40 ºC may also be recorded in areas of eastern Castilla-La Mancha, the southeastern peninsula and even, occasionally, in the interior of Mallorca.

Next week could bring highs of up to 44 ºC

The forecast indicates that the heat will continue to intensify between Monday and Wednesday. Although the agency warns that there is still uncertainty about the exact evolution of the episode, the models consider that 40 ºC will be generally exceeded in much of the interior of the southern half, the Ebro valley and other low-lying interior areas.

The most extreme values could be reached in the valleys and depressions of Andalucía and in some points of La Mancha, where thermometers could be between 42 and 44 ºC.

If the expected evolution holds, Thursday would be the hottest day of the episode before temperatures begin to drop starting Friday, especially in the western half of the country.

Very warm nights and extreme risk of fires

In addition to the daytime heat, AEMET warns that the nights will also be especially warm in many areas, making rest difficult and increasing the health risk, especially among elderly people, patients with cardiovascular diseases, and those who carry out outdoor activities.

The arrival of the African air mass will also increase the risk of forest fires, which will once again reach extreme levels in numerous areas. Added to this will be the possibility of dry storms forming during the afternoons in mountain areas, a phenomenon that can favor the appearance of new fire outbreaks.

A new heat wave is not yet confirmed

Despite the expected intensity, AEMET insists that it is still too early to confirm whether this episode will officially become a new heat wave. The evolution will depend on factors such as the behavior of the DANA, the extent of the African air mass, and the possible arrival of cooler air from the north.

For this reason, the agency will continue updating the forecast over the coming days to determine the duration of the episode and the areas that will ultimately be most affected.