Amber weather warnings have been issued in Spain following a 40C heatwave this weekend. Spanish weather agency, Aemet, recorded temperatures exceeding 40C in Andalusia on Sunday, and locals and tourists are being urged to take care ahead of more extreme weather that is forecast this week.
A combination of heavy storms and intense heat led to Aemet issuing an orange alert for Monday and Tuesday in parts of northern Spain, and a yellow warning for Wednesday. In Aragon, an amber alert is active for probable hailstones and strong winds, while in parts of Andalusia, including Cordoba, there is a warning for storms and high temperatures, which it predicts could exceed 40C.
On Monday morning, Aemet posted on X: “Warnings active today and tomorrow in Spain for storms, rain, high temperatures and coastal hazards. Maximum warning level: orange.”
According to Spain’s Health Ministry, people should avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks in extreme heat, which may come as an unwelcome recommendation for tourists, who may not be as accustomed to the high temperatures.
It also recommends drinking water often, even when not thirsty, wearing loose-fitting clothes, and reducing physical activity during the hottest hours of the day.
Authorities also urge people to look for signs of heatstroke, which include fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion, and nausea, and to seek help when necessary.
Aemet predicted the “intense heat” will continue until Tuesday, June 10, with highs above 36C in the central and inland-southern parts of the Iberian Peninsula and the Ebro Valley.
On Sunday, the weather agency reported that around 40 stations in its network reached or exceeded 40C, with the highest values recorded in the provinces of Seville and Córdoba.
It added: “It will be a bit cool there on Monday, but temperatures will rise in the north of the peninsula.”