Heatwave Returns to Southern Europe Amid Rain Predictions
After a brief respite from the intense heat, Southern Europe is bracing for another week of soaring temperatures and potential stormy showers. This climatic roller-coaster, described by Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), is expected to see temperatures rise significantly throughout the week before dropping sharply over the weekend.
Warm air flows will push temperatures back up, with experts predicting maxing out between 32°C to 38°C from Wednesday through Friday. This resurgence of summer heat will affect vast swaths of the Peninsula, particularly in the Balearic Islands, central, and southern regions of Spain. On Monday, thermometers climbed to 35°C in valleys such as Guadiana and Guadalquivir, with slightly cooler conditions in the Cantabrian Sea region.
Rain and Storms Expected on Weekend
However, this sweltering weather will not last. By the weekend, a significant change is forecast. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to sweep through a major part of the country, with the northern Peninsula experiencing the heaviest downpours. This shift is attributed to an impending Atlantic storm system. Friday will see initial signs with rainfall hitting regions such as Galicia, Castilla y León, and parts of Extremadura, potentially leading to a noticeable temperature drop.
Saturday and Sunday will likely feature widespread rains, affecting areas from southern Galicia and Castilla y León to Cantabria and the Pyrenees. On Sunday, this unstable weather will persist, with showers possibly extending to central regions and isolated bouts in the southern parts and Balearic Islands. These conditions will result in a critical temperature drop, reaching up to 8°C to 10°C, offering much-needed relief from the preceding heatwave.
Meanwhile, the Canary Islands anticipate a relatively stable weather pattern. The region will experience trade winds, cloud cover over the northern islands, and clear skies in the south. Scattered showers might occur in the latter half of the week, but temperatures are expected to remain steady.
For France, after an abnormally cool and wet May, the arrival of summer weather brings a welcome change. From Monday, sun and rising temperatures will be the norm. Tuesday will exemplify this transition, with clear skies dominating most of the country and temperatures climbing beyond 20°C. The sunny weather will span the entire week, particularly rewarding the southwest regions with figures reaching up to 30°C by midweek.
Despite these warm interludes, Thursday onwards heralds the arrival of thunderstorms, particularly hitting areas such as New Aquitaine and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes by Saturday. The southern half of France is poised for more overcast skies and rainy weather, especially towards the end of the week.
As evidenced, Southern Europe is set for a volatile week of climate, balancing between extreme heat and potentially strong thunderstorms. Residents are advised to stay informed of local forecasts and prepare for abrupt weather changes.
- Rubén del Campo, Aemet spokesperson, provided a comprehensive forecast indicating the regions that will experience the most intense heat and the possible effects of the incoming Atlantic storm. He emphasized the contrast between the near 40°C highs expected in the Guadalquivir valley and the cooler, wetter conditions anticipated in the north come weekend.
- On the French side, Météo France highlighted the relief brought by early June sun after the gloomy May. Paris and the northern coast will see moderate temperatures of around 20°C, while southern regions will bask in near 30°C heat. The impending thunderstorms later in the week, particularly in the southeastern provinces, are a cause for attentive monitoring.
