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Spain is heading into the most intense part of its latest spell of extreme heat, with temperatures expected to reach 42-43°C in parts of the south on Thursday and Friday.

 

The heat is being driven by a large area of high pressure combined with a mass of very warm, dry air. Dust in the atmosphere will also affect much of mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands.

 

Meteorologist Samuel Biener of Meteored said the peak of the heat is expected between Thursday and Friday, with temperatures of 42-43°C possible in parts of Extremadura and Andalucia.

 

He described such temperatures as unusual for September, particularly as meteorological autumn only began on September 1.

 

Temperatures will rise across much of Spain on Thursday, with the biggest increases expected in the north. Galicia and parts of the Cantabrian coast could see temperatures climb by as much as four to eight degrees in just 24 hours.

 

Despite the sharp rise in the north, the hottest conditions will remain further south. Temperatures could reach 42-43°C around the Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys, while much of inland Spain will exceed 35°C.

 

The Ebro Valley and parts of northeastern Spain could reach around 37°C, while temperatures are expected to pass 34°C across large areas of the northern plateau.

 

The extreme heat will continue on Friday and could spread to more parts of the country. Badajoz, Córdoba and Seville could again reach 42-43°C, while Zaragoza, Lleida, Ciudad Real, Toledo and Cáceres could see temperatures rise above 40°C.

 

The nights will also remain exceptionally warm. Minimum temperatures could stay at 25°C or higher in parts of Andalucia, along the Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands.

 

 

The Canary Islands will also remain hot, with some mid-altitude areas of Gran Canaria reaching 35°C or more.

 

Temperatures should begin to fall in the south and northwest on Saturday, although it will remain warmer than normal for early September.

 

Cloudier conditions are expected in western Spain, with showers and thunderstorms possible in the northwest and potentially extending into parts of the southwest.

 

The gradual change to cooler conditions will continue on Sunday, particularly in the northwest. Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria could see a significant drop in temperatures, while other areas will see smaller falls.

 

The east and the Balearic Islands will remain comparatively warm, although temperatures should begin moving back towards more normal levels.

 

There is still some uncertainty over how quickly the cooler Atlantic air will spread across Spain, with the weather pattern potentially bringing further instability and thunderstorms over the weekend.

 

Forecasters have warned that temperatures could rise again next week, meaning the unusual September heat may not be over just yet.

 

According to Mr Biener, this episode could even last long enough to meet the criteria for a heatwave.

 

"We're facing an episode that 's borderline being considered a heat wave due to its duration; we'll have to see if it ultimately becomes one," he explained.

 

For more weather news go to our Weather & Climate page or follow the Spain Weather Watch Facebook group for regular updates

Images: Aemet