Brussels: Spain is bracing for its third heat wave of the summer, with temperatures expected to exceed 45C (113F) in some areas, the country's weather agency said Saturday. The heat wave is forecast to begin Tuesday and last at least through Thursday, when conditions are expected to peak.

According to Anadolu Agency, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has forecast that the southeastern third of the Iberian Peninsula is likely to be the worst affected. Intense heat is also expected in the Guadalquivir and Ebro valleys, northeastern depressions, Pyrenees valleys, and inland Mallorca. A mass of hot, dry air carrying suspended dust will settle over much of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, as temperatures are expected to rise gradually from the weekend.

On Tuesday, maximum temperatures could reach 41C to 43C in inland parts of the southeast and locally exceed 44C. Similar conditions are forecast for Wednesday, with Thursday predicted to be the peak of the episode. Temperatures are expected to reach 42C to 44C in the southeastern third of the country, locally surpassing 45C, while the Guadalquivir Valley and Genil basin could record temperatures of up to 43C.

Aemet warned that the wildfire danger would again rise to extreme levels, with dry afternoon thunderstorms possible in mountainous areas. Temperatures are forecast to fall widely from Friday, though the agency noted that uncertainty remains and the heat wave could extend beyond Thursday.

This will be Spain's third heat wave this summer, following episodes recorded from June 21 to 24 and July 5 to 9. Aemet data shows that heat waves have become more frequent and are arriving earlier. Mainland Spain recorded only two June heat waves between 1975 and 2000, compared with 10 between 2000 and 2025.