Intense heat has settled over Catalonia and Barcelona since late last week, with its peak expected before the weekend. This period of high temperatures, typical of the hottest summer days, could challenge historical records for the month of May, as has already occurred in England and parts of France.

In Barcelona, thermometers could reach highs of 32 to 34 degrees in the upper parts of the city between Thursday and Friday. In the pre-coastal areas, the maximum temperature could climb to 35 degrees. These high daytime temperatures will be accompanied by tropical nights, with lows ranging between 23 and 24 degrees in the urban core. The possibility of a torrid night, above 25 ºC, cannot be entirely ruled out, although historical records from the Can Bruixa station and the Fabra Observatory do not show torrid May nights.

In the rest of Catalonia, high maximum temperatures are expected in the western counties and central Catalonia, where thermometers could approach 38 or 39 degrees on the hottest days, close to historical May records. The Pyrenean valleys will also feel the heat, with highs ranging between 32 and 36 degrees.

The persistence of a strong anticyclone over the North Sea is the main reason for this exceptional situation across Europe. The subsidence associated with high pressure, combined with strong insolation, is causing abnormally high values for this time of year. Average temperature readings are expected to be between six and 10 degrees above the norm in many parts of the continent.

From Saturday onwards, the anticyclone will begin to weaken, allowing for a slight normalization of temperatures in the northern half of Europe and a slight decrease in the Mediterranean region. Although the heatwave will break in Barcelona and Catalonia from Saturday, a clear cooling trend is not anticipated in the medium term.