Catalonia and Barcelona are entering the first peak of a heatwave that is expected to continue next week. In the city, maximum temperatures this Wednesday and Thursday will exceed 35 ºC, especially in the center and upper parts, with the possibility of reaching 37-38 ºC in some mountainous areas. In the pre-coastal regions, highs could reach 40 ºC, and inland, such as in the Ebro Valley, even exceed 44 ºC.
Nights will also be particularly warm. In Barcelona, a two-degree rise is expected compared to tonight's already elevated minimums (above 27 ºC). Some models indicate nighttime temperatures will remain close to 30 ºC for many hours, with the occasional possibility of a 'tropical night' (minimum temperature not below 30 ºC).
“"Some models indicate nighttime temperatures that, for many hours, could reach values close to 30 ºC or even higher, and would only drop below this mark well into the early morning."
This phenomenon is not new; Termcat standardized the term 'nit roent' (tropical night) five years ago for nights with minimums above 30 ºC, a situation that is becoming increasingly frequent. In Barcelona, tropical nights have already been recorded, such as the one on June 28-29, 2019, at the Fabra Observatory (minimum of 31 ºC), or close values in August 2018 and 2025.
In response to this situation, the Barcelona City Council has activated the alert phase for intense heat, with specific measures for the vulnerable population. The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya has also raised its warnings, with a red alert for daytime heat in Barcelona (level 5 out of 6) and level 1 for nighttime heat.
