State weather agency Aemet has issued red weather alerts for Wednesday as an intense heatwave grips much of the country, with temperatures set to reach 43C in some areas.
The red, or ‘extraordinary danger’, warning has been activated for the north and south Valencia coastline, where highs of 42C are forecast between 1pm and 8.59pm.
While the Costa del Sol is not under a red warning, large parts of Andalucia will still face potentially dangerous conditions, with yellow and orange alerts in force.
On the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce Valley, a yellow alert has been issued as temperatures are expected to hit 38C, with 40C possible inland.
Other affected areas include:
- Guadix and Baza (Granada): Orange warning, up to 40C
- Valle del Almanzora and Los Velez (Almeria): Orange warning, up to 40C
- Antequera (Malaga): Yellow warning, up to 39C
- Axarquia (Malaga): Yellow warning, up to 36C, with the highest temperatures inland
- Cuenca del Genil (Granada): Yellow warning, up to 39C
- Campiña Cordobesa: Yellow warning, up to 39C
- Valle del Guadalquivir (Jaen): Yellow warning, up to 39C
- Morena and Condado (Jaen): Yellow warning, up to 39C
- Cazorla and Segura (Jaen): Yellow warning, up to 39C
- Nacimiento and Campo de Tabernas (Almeria): Yellow warning, up to 39C
Elsewhere, the heat will be even more intense.
The Vega del Segura in Murcia is under an orange warning with temperatures forecast to reach 42C, while southern Alicante faces an orange alert with highs of 39C.
The latest episode marks the start of Spain’s canicula – traditionally the hottest period of the year, running from July 15 to August 15 – with forecasters warning that temperatures above 40C are likely across large areas of eastern Spain, the Mediterranean interior and Andalucía throughout the week.
Authorities are urging people to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day, drink plenty of water, check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, and never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles.
With vegetation tinder dry following weeks of high temperatures, officials are also warning of an elevated wildfire risk across much of the country.
