Spain travel warning for Irish tourists as extreme heat to exceed 40C

Irish holidaymakers soaking up the sun in Spain are being urged to brace themselves for a sizzling heatwave.

The Spanish weather authority, AEMET, has sounded the alarm with several alerts, warning that the mercury is set to soar past 40C in certain spots.

Their statement read: “There will be significantly high temperatures in large areas of the southern and northeastern half of the peninsula, inland Mallorca, and the south of the central Canary Islands. Temperatures will tend to rise in most of the country.

“Temperatures are expected to exceed 35C in the southern and north-eastern half of the peninsula, inland Mallorca and the south of the central Canary Islands, and even 38C to 40C in areas of Andalusia, Murcia, the south of the Valencian Community, Albacete and depressions in the north-east.”

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A slew of Status Orange warnings just one step down from the top alert have been slapped on for today and tomorrow, affecting popular tourist destinations such as Seville, Andalusia, and Valencia. Meanwhile, less critical Status Yellow warnings cover much of the south and east of the mainland, plus the Canary Islands, reports the Irish Mirror.

The peak of this scorching episode is expected to hit on Friday. Irish tourists who find themselves in Spain during this period should take extra care by drinking plenty of water, staying out of the midday sun, and slapping on the sunscreen.

The Spanish weather agency AEMET has issued some crucial advice this week, urging people to only leave their homes when absolutely necessary and during the cooler hours, not the scorching midday sun. They also recommend keeping windows and blinds shut tight to stop the heat from getting in.

Meteoalarm, a site Met Eireann says is key for preparing for extreme weather across Europe, has put out Status Orange and Yellow warnings. They’re telling tourists and locals in Spain to “be prepared”.

The warning reads: “Be prepared. Take precautions and keep up to date with the latest weather forecast. Severe damages to people and properties may occur, especially to those vulnerable or in exposed areas.”

As for Ireland, we’re looking at “below average” temperatures over the weekend, but it’ll stay mostly dry with just a few scattered showers here and there. Met Eireann’s says Thursday will kick off cloudy with some rain and drizzle hanging around Leinster and east Munster, and the odd shower elsewhere.

Things should brighten up as the morning goes on, with the drizzle moving on and sunny spells breaking through. Just a few isolated showers are expected for the rest of the day. Temperatures will hit highs of 14C to 18C, with a light to moderate northerly breeze keeping things fresh.

“Friday will be a cloudier day overall with the best of any sunny spells in the east and southeast. Dry for many but scattered showers will slowly spread from the northwest through the morning and afternoon. Some patchy drizzle will push into northwestern coasts later. Highest temperatures of 14C to 18C in a light northerly breeze.

“A cloudy start to Saturday with scattered showers. Sunny spells will develop through the day with further scattered showers developing also. Highest temperatures of 15C to 19C in a light northerly or variable breeze.

“A dry start for many Sunday with sunny spells. Scattered showers will develop through the morning and afternoon. Turning cloudier in the south and west later. Highest temperatures of 16C to 20C in light to moderate southerly or variable winds.”

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