Heat wave hits Catalonia

Temperatures are expected to rise to mid-30s, dropping again starting August 8

A young woman cools down with water from an outdoor shower in Montblanc on July 18 2018 (by Núria Torres)
A young woman cools down with water from an outdoor shower in Montblanc on July 18 2018 (by Núria Torres) / ACN

ACN | Barcelona

July 31, 2018 06:05 PM

The heat is here, and it’s not going anywhere. At least for a week, according to latest data, which indicates it’s just going to get worse.

While Catalonia’s early summer was relatively cool, temperatures began to rise in the very last days of July, and the 31 marks the beginning of a week-long heat wave.

There’s never been a better reason to take a trip to a seaside town. The Catalan coast will see temperatures of between 30 and 35 degrees. If that seems high, it’s worth keeping in mind that inland, temperatures will rise to a dangerous 35 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Things will definitely get worse before they get better. Temperatures are projected to go up until August 3, with the fever not set to break until August 7 or 8. If predictions forecasting a weeklong wave are right, it will be the longest yet, for the summer of 2018.

And this phenomenon isn’t only blazing in Catalonia. On the Iberian Peninsula, temperatures of over 40 are expected to be seen in the south. This is where the heat wave starts, brought by winds from Africa. The high temperatures will be felt throughout Europe, hitting France, blowing north – they’re even taking their toll on England.

Back in Catalonia, the weather is going to start getting cooler and begin to drop on August 8. Yet, experts warn that even having dropped down, they will remain above average for this time of year.