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This week's weather in Spain is dominated by the country's third heatwave of the summer, which arrives on Tuesday and is set to last until at least Thursday. Hot, dry air pushing up from North Africa is bringing hazy skies to the Canary Islands and to parts of the south and east of the mainland.

 

That haze should clear as the week goes on. By Friday, cooler air should move in from the north, bringing rain to several provinces and easing conditions in many areas, including parts of the Mediterranean coast where heat and humidity will otherwise make life tricky for much of the week.

 

Temperatures start climbing today, with the sharpest rises in the Ebro Valley, the north-eastern lowlands and the coastal and pre-coastal areas of the south-east. Highs of 38 to 40°C are likely in the Ebro Valley and the low-lying parts of north-eastern and eastern Castilla-La Mancha. The upper and middle Guadalquivir and inland Mallorca can expect 39 to 41°C, while the interior of the south-eastern third of the mainland could see 40 to 42°C.

 

Despite the suffocating heat, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) isn't counting today as an official heatwave day just yet.

 

This is the day the heatwave officially begins, with temperatures climbing almost everywhere on the mainland. The Ebro Valley, the north-eastern lowlands, eastern Castilla-La Mancha, the upper and middle Guadalquivir and inland Mallorca are looking at highs of 39 to 41°C. Once again the south-east takes the brunt of it, with highs of 41 to 43°C and the possibility of hitting 44°C in a few spots. There's also a chance of afternoon showers over the Pyrenees and other high ground in the east, including the Iberian System and the Sistema Penibético.

 

The heat builds further today, this time hitting hardest in the south-west along with the upper Ebro and the Cantabrian coast in the north. The Ebro Valley, the north-eastern lowlands, eastern Castilla-La Mancha and inland Mallorca stay in the 39 to 41°C range. The Guadalquivir valley will push up to between 40 and 42°C. The south-east remains one of the hottest parts of the country, with highs of 41 to 43°C and some areas again pushing past 44°C. Murcia is likely to be among the hottest cities in Spain today, with highs above 40°C.

 

This looks set to be the peak day of the heatwave. The same area of high pressure that's been holding things in place all week stays put, and strengthening westerly winds push temperatures up further along the Mediterranean coast. Inland Mallorca sees highs of 37 to 39°C, with eastern Castilla-La Mancha reaching 39 to 41°C. The Ebro Valley and north-eastern lowlands climb to between 40 and 42°C, while the Guadalquivir valley is set to reach 41 to 43°C. The most extreme conditions are expected in the south-west, where highs of 42 to 44°C are likely and could locally top 45°C. Murcia could also reach around 45°C today as the westerly winds take hold.

 

Aemet is urging extra care during the middle of the day, especially for anyone spending time outdoors and for older people, young children and anyone with existing health conditions.

 

For more weather news go to our Weather & Climate page or follow the Spain Weather Watch Facebook group for regular updates

 

Images: Aemet