Temperatures in Lleida hit 35°C and are set to rise further 

On Wednesday afternoon, the heat in the city of Lleida, western Catalonia, intensified. Temperatures rose to 35 °C, the highest recorded so far this year, and are expected to climb even higher. Temperatures will potentially surpass the 36-degree mark, a record for May recorded on May 21 and 22 in 2022.  

Residents of Lleida are trying to adapt to the arrival of the heat, noting that temperatures have been quite mild until now. Caps, hats, and umbrellas can be seen all over the streets as protection from the sun. Others try to stick to shaded areas.  

"We can be glad that the heat didn't arrive until the end of May this year," Francesc, a local resident, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). For him, high temperatures mean "seeking shade, drinking lots of water, and turning on the air conditioning." 

Rosana, from Torrebesses, just south of Lleida, said she was surprised by the heat upon arriving in the city: "We're coping as best we can. We keep everything shut at home so the sun doesn't come in," she explained.  

Meanwhile, María José and Úrsula remarked that "the heat arrived all of a sudden" and that "we're getting used to it, as always." In their case, showers, air conditioning, and staying hydrated are their best tools to beat the heat. "But we can’t complain this year, since we've had a lot of cool weather until now," Úrsula added. 

On the flip side, there's Ivet and Queralt, two first-year veterinary students at the University of Lleida, who set up a table and chairs on the banks of the River Segre so they could "study and get a tan at the same time." 

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday temperatures in Lleida will reach approximately 36 degrees. However, they are expected to gradually drop from Sunday onward.