Weather change: cooler from Wednesday – thunderstorms in Catalonia
Highs drop below 20 °C in the north while the southwest stays above 30 °C – and Catalonia faces heavy showers and thunderstorms.
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From Wednesday, 9 September, Spain turns noticeably cooler – and the northeast faces a rising risk of thunderstorms. After another very hot start to the second week of September, a clear change in the weather is on the way. After another very hot start to the week, with temperatures locally reaching around 40 °C, cooler air will begin spreading across large parts of the country from Wednesday, 9 September.
At the same time, the weather will become considerably more unsettled in the northeast. Catalonia and the Balearic Islands will be particularly affected by showers and thunderstorms, while strong winds will accompany the change in some areas.
The latest ICON-EU forecast from meteo365.es shows a clear easing of the heat across northern and central Spain. Only at the weekend, Aemet confirmed a September record of 45.7 °C at El Granado.
Southern Spain, however, will remain much hotter. Murcia could still reach around 36 °C, while Córdoba and Sevilla are forecast to climb to approximately 34 °C. Badajoz should reach around 32 °C, while Málaga could also see temperatures close to 34 °C.
This creates a striking north-to-south temperature contrast: while some parts of Spain's northern coast struggle to reach 20 °C, southeastern Spain will remain firmly in midsummer territory.
The current ICON-EU forecast indicates around 36 mm of precipitation in the Barcelona area and approximately 12 mm around Girona during the day. Even larger amounts are indicated offshore along parts of the Catalan coast. Thunderstorm rainfall is highly localised, however, so actual totals can vary significantly over relatively short distances.
People in Barcelona, Girona and other parts of coastal Catalonia should therefore be prepared for heavy showers, thunderstorms and temporarily difficult driving conditions.
Locally stronger gusts are possible around thunderstorms, so conditions can deteriorate quickly even where the weather initially appears relatively calm.
For holidaymakers, this does not necessarily mean an entirely wet day. However, conditions could change quickly, and periods of sunshine may be interrupted by showers or thunderstorms.
Temperatures also fall along the Costa Blanca. Benidorm drops from around 30 °C to 26 °C, while Valencia falls from approximately 29 °C to 27 °C. Barcelona should reach around 25 °C on Thursday, with Palma also close to 25 °C.
Central Spain remains pleasantly warm, with approximately 26 °C in Madrid and Toledo and around 28 °C in Albacete.
This means the weather change should not be interpreted as the end of summer across Spain. Instead, the most intense heat gradually retreats towards the southwest while northern, central and eastern areas become noticeably cooler.
In southern and southwestern Spain, summer remains very much alive, with temperatures still exceeding 30 °C and locally reaching the mid-30s. Forecasts can still change, particularly regarding the exact location and intensity of thunderstorms.
At the same time, the weather will become considerably more unsettled in the northeast. Catalonia and the Balearic Islands will be particularly affected by showers and thunderstorms, while strong winds will accompany the change in some areas.
The latest ICON-EU forecast from meteo365.es shows a clear easing of the heat across northern and central Spain. Only at the weekend, Aemet confirmed a September record of 45.7 °C at El Granado.
Wednesday: much cooler across northern and central Spain
The drop in temperature will be particularly noticeable across the north. On Wednesday, maximum temperatures are forecast to reach only around 18 °C in Bilbao, 19 °C in Gijón, 20 °C in Pamplona and 19 °C in Burgos. Madrid should reach approximately 26 °C, making conditions considerably more comfortable than during the recent hot spell.Southern Spain, however, will remain much hotter. Murcia could still reach around 36 °C, while Córdoba and Sevilla are forecast to climb to approximately 34 °C. Badajoz should reach around 32 °C, while Málaga could also see temperatures close to 34 °C.
This creates a striking north-to-south temperature contrast: while some parts of Spain's northern coast struggle to reach 20 °C, southeastern Spain will remain firmly in midsummer territory.
Catalonia: thunderstorms and locally heavy rain
The most significant weather development on Wednesday is likely to be in Catalonia, where showers and thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread.The current ICON-EU forecast indicates around 36 mm of precipitation in the Barcelona area and approximately 12 mm around Girona during the day. Even larger amounts are indicated offshore along parts of the Catalan coast. Thunderstorm rainfall is highly localised, however, so actual totals can vary significantly over relatively short distances.
People in Barcelona, Girona and other parts of coastal Catalonia should therefore be prepared for heavy showers, thunderstorms and temporarily difficult driving conditions.
Strong winds accompany the weather change
Wind will also become an important part of Wednesday's weather. The ICON-EU forecast indicates gusts of around 72 km/h near Zaragoza and approximately 62 km/h around Tortosa. The Balearic Islands could also become rather windy, with gusts around 63 km/h forecast for Palma.Locally stronger gusts are possible around thunderstorms, so conditions can deteriorate quickly even where the weather initially appears relatively calm.
Balearic Islands turn more unsettled
The weather change will also reach Mallorca and Ibiza. Wednesday will remain warm, with approximately 27 °C in Palma and 28 °C in Eivissa, but showers and thunderstorms are possible around the islands. The forecast maps currently place some of the heaviest precipitation over the surrounding Mediterranean.For holidaymakers, this does not necessarily mean an entirely wet day. However, conditions could change quickly, and periods of sunshine may be interrupted by showers or thunderstorms.
Thursday: heat retreats further
By Thursday, 10 September, the cooling trend becomes even more apparent. One of the biggest changes is expected in southeastern Spain: Murcia drops from around 36 °C on Wednesday to approximately 28 °C on Thursday.Temperatures also fall along the Costa Blanca. Benidorm drops from around 30 °C to 26 °C, while Valencia falls from approximately 29 °C to 27 °C. Barcelona should reach around 25 °C on Thursday, with Palma also close to 25 °C.
Central Spain remains pleasantly warm, with approximately 26 °C in Madrid and Toledo and around 28 °C in Albacete.
Andalusia remains hot
The heat will not disappear everywhere. Parts of Andalusia and Extremadura remain hot even on Thursday. Córdoba and Sevilla could still reach around 34 °C, while Badajoz is forecast to reach approximately 33 °C.This means the weather change should not be interpreted as the end of summer across Spain. Instead, the most intense heat gradually retreats towards the southwest while northern, central and eastern areas become noticeably cooler.
A first taste of autumn – but summer isn't over yet
After another very hot start to September, Wednesday's change will bring welcome relief to many parts of Spain. For holidaymakers along the Mediterranean, temperatures will generally become more comfortable. Catalonia and the Balearic Islands are the areas to watch on Wednesday, however, with thunderstorms, locally heavy rainfall and strong gusts possible.In southern and southwestern Spain, summer remains very much alive, with temperatures still exceeding 30 °C and locally reaching the mid-30s. Forecasts can still change, particularly regarding the exact location and intensity of thunderstorms.
