Aemet warns of a sharp drop in temperatures in the north, while the south remains on alert for extreme heat.

Another day of extreme contrasts in Spain marks the end of the heat wave. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has warned of a drastic change in the weather starting this Monday, August 18: the north of the peninsula will experience a sharp drop in temperatures, while the south will continue to reach 40 degrees . This highly variable situation is a direct consequence of the arrival of an Atlantic trough, which brings cooler air from the northwest, but leaves the southern half untouched.

While rain and storms will be more prevalent in the north and east , high temperatures will continue to dominate the southern peninsula, especially in areas such as the Guadalquivir Valley and the southeast, where temperatures are still hovering near mid-July levels. Aemet also highlights the possibility of suspended dust , especially in the eastern third of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, which could further cloud the temperature.

Despite this change, we mustn't let our guard down. Although highs will fall sharply in the northwest inland and southern Catalonia, temperatures will continue to exceed 35 degrees Celsius in parts of the northeast, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands , with lows that will also remain persistent in areas of the southern peninsula, the Mediterranean, and the archipelagos, where they may not drop below 25 degrees Celsius during the early morning.

What will the weather be like this Monday, August 18?

Monday is coming with a mix of weather . While some communities are preparing to bring out their umbrellas, others will have to continue taking shelter in the shade. This is the weather forecast for August 18th, according to the AEMET (Mexico City Meteorological Agency):

• Northern Peninsula: Thermal Drop and Rain

Galicia, the Cantabrian Sea, Navarre, La Rioja, and Asturias will open the day with mostly cloudy skies and light rainfall, which will become more persistent in the afternoon in inland areas. Temperatures will experience a significant drop, with highs potentially dropping by more than 10 degrees in the Astur-Leonese mountain range. In the Basque Country and Navarre, rain could be accompanied by scattered showers at the end of the day, while locally strong thunderstorms are expected in the Pyrenees.

• Central and eastern peninsula: unstable environment and contained heat

In regions such as Castile and León, Aragon, and Castile-La Mancha, the weather will be changeable, with skies changing from mostly cloudy to more overcast, especially in the afternoon, when developing clouds will develop and could bring intense storms to areas of the Iberian and eastern Iberian systems. Madrid will reach 39 degrees, while in Castile-La Mancha temperatures could climb to 41 degrees . In Catalonia, the heat will ease along the coast, but not inland, with intense storms in the Pyrenees.

• Southern Peninsula and Mediterranean: stifling heat without respite

Andalusia, Murcia, the Valencian Community, and the Alboran region will experience another day of extreme heat. Temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius are expected in inland Andalusia and up to 42 degrees Celsius in parts of the Mediterranean , such as the Valencian Community. Although isolated thunderstorms are not ruled out in the eastern inland mountain ranges, mostly clear or mostly cloudy skies will prevail. Ceuta and Melilla will also be hot, with highs of 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, respectively.

• Archipelagos: sustained heat and haze in the Canary Islands

In the Balearic Islands , the day will start calmly, but will become more complicated with the arrival of medium and high clouds and the possibility of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures will remain high, with no significant changes. The Canary Islands will experience a stable day, although with haze at altitude , especially in the highlands of the mountainous islands. The trade winds will blow strongly, especially in the southeast and northwest.

Aemet maintains heat and storm alerts in several parts of the country, so it is recommended to stay informed and exercise extreme caution , especially in areas at risk of adverse weather conditions.