Spain heatwave: how long will it last and should I cancel my holiday?

Spain is in the midst of its third heatwave of the summer. This week, thermometers soared as high as 45C in many parts of the country, with night-time temperatures only falling below 24C in the far north. It’s hot, dry and hard to sleep out here, so if you’re heading to Spain this week, here’s what you need to know.

Main photo: Valencia has been hit by the heatwave (Getty Images)

Which areas of Spain are worst affected by the heatwave?

AEMET has issued “extreme risk” red alerts for the regions of Castilla-La Mancha, Valencia and inland Murcia. Orange alerts, warning of “a certain degree of danger” to health, are in place in inland Andalusia in Granada, Jaen and the Guadalquivir Valley; inland Catalonia; Gran Canaria; Aragon; and Madrid. The Balearics, Castilla y Leon and Extremadura are subject to yellow warnings, advising caution.

A street thermometer reads 45C in Cordoba (Getty Images) Which areas aren’t affected?

No alerts have been issued for the northern regions of Navarra, the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, nor are there any advisories for the Costa de la Luz, the Costa del Sol or any other coastal areas with the exception of beaches in Huelva, Valencia and Gran Canaria. 

That said, it’s still warm, with highs expected on Friday, August 11 of 37C in Marbella; 31C in Alicante; and 33C in Lloret del Mar. Palma will peak at 35C, while Tenerife will see 33C. Note that highs in the Canary Islands could reach above 40C by Sunday, August 13.

Cape Trafalgar in the Costa de la Luz has not been affected by the heatwave (Alamy) What’s causing the heatwave?

An elongated area of high pressure to the southwest of Spain is drawing up hot air from Mauritania in Africa, where temperatures have reached 48C this week. As hot air rises, surface winds increase, keeping coastal areas cooler but increasing the fire risk inland. 

How long will the heatwave last?

AEMET had forecast the heatwave to end by Friday, August 11, but the agency is now warning that extreme temperatures will persist until Sunday, August 13, with the worst of the heat in the south of Spain and the Canaries. The possibility of another heatwave has not been ruled out, and even if that doesn’t happen, temperatures are expected to remain at least one to three degrees above average for the rest of the month.

A wildfire in Suevos, Arteixo (Getty Images) What is the wildfire risk?

Spain is suffering the third-worst summer for forest fires in the past decade, with 54 per cent of all the land in Europe destroyed by fire this summer lying within the nation’s frontiers. Currently at least 80 per cent of the country is classified as at extreme risk of wildfire, with only the Rias Altas and Baixas of Galicia and narrow strips of the Costa del Azahar and Costa del Sol not on red alert.

A forest fire in Llanca (Getty Images) Is it safe to travel?

The UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) does not warn against travel to any part of Spain and offers scant advice for those travelling there. Mid-afternoon temperatures are debilitating, with an attendant risk of dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion and, in extreme cases, heatstroke. Use sunscreen, cover up, avoid alcohol, drink at least 2.5 litres of water per day and, like the locals, stay indoors in the hottest hours. High temperatures at night make sleeping difficult for many, and drivers are advised to take a break every hour.

The urban heat island effect makes towns and cities considerably more uncomfortable than rural locations. Make sure you have a valid Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travelling, as that entitles you to state-provided emergency healthcare if needed when overseas.

AEMET has issued an “extreme risk” red alert for Valencia (Getty Images) Can I cancel my holiday due to the heatwave?

In the absence of FCDO advice against non-essential travel, tour operators and airlines are not obliged to offer refunds, and nor, in most cases, can you claim on your insurance. That said, you have nothing to lose by calling your tour operator — or, better still, if you booked with one, your travel agent — to plead your case. You probably won’t get your money back, but you might be able to change the dates, the destination, or both.