A series of red alerts for extreme heat have been issued across south and south-east Spain for Thursday.
According to state weather agency Aemet, temperatures are expected to soar to 44C, while thunderstorms, hail and damaging wind gusts threaten to hit later in the day.
The highest-level warning is in place for parts of Murcia, Alicante and Valencia, where temperatures are expected to easily reach over 40C between midday and 9pm.
The most severe conditions are forecast for the Vega del Segura and the Guadalentin Valley, Lorca and Aguilas in the Murcia region, where the mercury is expected to peak at 44C.
Red alerts have also been activated across southern Alicante and southern Valencia, where inland areas could see temperatures climb to 42C.
Adding to the danger, Aemet is warning that parts of Murcia and Almeria could be hit by thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and very strong wind gusts during the late afternoon.
Andalucia swelters
While Andalucia escapes the highest red alert, much of the region remains under orange (‘important risk’) warnings for extreme heat.
Temperatures are forecast to reach:
- 42C in inland parts of the Guadalhorce Valley and western Costa del Sol
- 41C around Grazalema and Jimena de la Frontera
- 40C across Antequera, the Cordoba countryside, Guadix and Baza, the Tabernas area and the Almanzora Valley
Yellow warnings remain in force across much of the rest of Andalucia, including Ronda, Axarquia, Jaen, Granada’s Alpujarras and the Seville countryside, where temperatures between 37C and 40C are expected.
Meanwhile, isolated thunderstorms are also forecast for parts of Almeria, with the possibility of hail and powerful downbursts.
The latest warnings come as Spain continues to endure an intense heatwave, with health authorities urging residents and tourists to avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day, stay hydrated and check on elderly or vulnerable relatives.
