Third summer heatwave bakes Spain

Spain’s third weather warning in the space of a month means temperatures are once again set to soar.

We said at the beginning of the month that the news that Spain is set for a rather hot summer should not really be news at all.

But this time it is. Seriously. Having braced itself for temperatures to soar into the mid-40s at the start of July, and again a week ago, Spain is once more on high alert for scorching temperatures, with most parts of the country set to swelter in 40ºC+ conditions this week…

Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET has placed 18 of the country’s 50 provinces on alert for hot weather, with most corners of Spain set to see the mercury push past 40ºC at least once this week.

As ever, Seville will be the hottest part of the country – and the continent – with temperatures expected to get to around 45ºc by Thursday, while even the normally cooler regions in the north will experience an ‘Orange Alert’ – which is the second-highest alert denoting high temperatures.

This wave of hot temperatures is not entirely unusual, but it is the first summer in almost a decade that three weather warnings have been issued in the space of a single month. For Spaniards seeking a little respite from the intense heat, the only domestic destinations that will be relatively seasonal are Galicia and Austurias in the far north, and the Canary Islands, which due to their southerly location next to Morocco have been spared this latest front of high pressure.

For the 12 million Brits expected to descend on Spanish shores this summer, the weather this week may prove even too hot for many of them, with the tourist board advising holidaymakers to avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm every day, to drink plenty of (non-alcoholic) fluids and to seek shade at regular intervals during the day.

While that might not a memorable holiday make, it is sensible advice that is well-heeded when Spain begins to sweat. There is always the famous siesta, world-class shopping and some of the finest restaurants in Europe to enjoy, but if you absolutely must get out there to top up your tan, then stay sensible, sober (relatively at least), hydrated and fully protected against the sun’s rays.