Spain's national weather agency Aemet has issued red alerts for parts of the country as a severe heatwave brings temperatures of up to 44C. The UK Foreign Office has also warned British travellers of increased wildfire risks.
Red Alerts in Force
The southern Valencia region is under a red alert for Tuesday, July 7, 2026, with highs of 44C forecast. Red warnings are also in place in parts of northeastern Spain, where temperatures could reach 42C. Yellow and amber warnings cover most of the country, including popular holiday destinations such as Alicante, where 39C is expected, and Barcelona, forecast to hit 34C.
The Balearic Islands are under yellow temperature alerts, with highs of 38C predicted. No red alerts have been issued for Wednesday so far, but yellow and amber warnings remain in effect.
Heatwave Duration and Risks
Aemet's heatwave notice came into effect on Sunday, July 5, and is expected to last until at least Wednesday, July 8. The agency stated that high pressure, combined with strong sunshine and light winds, is creating a very dry and warm air mass across much of Spain, resulting in persistently high temperatures. The heatwave may end on Wednesday or extend into Thursday, with uncertainty due to the changing position of a cut-off low.
Aemet warned of health risks for vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly, and highlighted an increased risk of wildfires and thunderstorms. The agency's fire risk maps indicate that most of the country is under extreme wildfire risk, particularly the north, west coast, and eastern regions.
UK Foreign Office Advice
The UK Foreign Office reminded travellers that wildfires can occur frequently in Spain, especially during summer. It advised: “Be aware of your environment when visiting and driving through woodland areas.” It added that causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain, even unintentionally. Travellers should ensure cigarette ends are properly extinguished, avoid lighting barbecues, and not leave empty bottles behind. Heavy fines can be imposed for violating rules against outdoor barbecues in forest areas.
Canary Islands Pre-Alert
Warnings are also in force for the Canary Islands, where Gran Canaria could see temperatures up to 40C, with Lanzarote and Fuerteventura forecast to reach 37C. The Canary Islands government declared a state of pre-alert for maximum temperatures across the archipelago. A multi-day heatwave is expected to begin on Sunday in the eastern islands and spread to the rest of the archipelago, peaking between Tuesday and Thursday. Temperatures of 34C or higher are expected in inland and mid-altitude areas of Gran Canaria, with some spots reaching 38C. Fuerteventura may see 33C, and inland areas of Tenerife could reach 32-33C.
