Temperatures are dropping in the north, but Aemet warns of a heat wave: several areas on alert for "extreme" heat will exceed 42º.

The heat wave continues to wreak havoc in Spain. Although temperatures are dropping slightly on the Cantabrian coast, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) is maintaining alerts in place in ten autonomous communities this Tuesday, many of them for temperatures that could significantly exceed 40 degrees. And be careful, because in southern areas, temperatures are expected to reach 42 degrees or even higher.

The bout of high temperatures, which began last Sunday, is creating a highly uneven outlook depending on where you are in the country. While some areas of the Cantabrian Sea will see a relief and temperatures will not be stifling, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, the weather will remain stifling for much of the day.

The areas hardest hit by this new heat wave will once again be Andalusia and Extremadura, where orange warnings indicate extreme temperatures during the central hours. Particularly worrying is the situation in the Guadiana and Guadalquivir valleys, where temperatures are expected to far exceed 42°C. The provinces of Córdoba, Seville, Badajoz, and Jaén are in the sights of the Aemet (Mexico City Meteorological Agency), which warns of the possibility of heat stroke, especially in the elderly, children, and those who work outdoors. In many areas, nighttime lows don't even drop below 25°C, making it difficult to rest properly.

Madrid is not spared. Although the temperature will not be as oppressive as in the south, the Community of Madrid is on orange alert, with temperatures close to 40°C (104° F) expected across much of its territory. The same is true in Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León, where the plateau becomes a veritable frying pan in the sun. In Catalonia, the situation is more localized. The warning is focused on the Empordà region (Girona), where temperatures could reach 37°C (99°F).

Curiously, Galicia also appears among the regions on orange alert. In the province of Pontevedra, especially in inland areas, temperatures of 37°C will be a reality for the next few hours. Once again this summer, this region is among those affected by the heat, despite its proximity to the Atlantic.

In the Canary Islands, the heat is particularly severe on the island of Gran Canaria, where a yellow warning has been issued due to forecast temperatures of up to 34°C in mid-mountain and inland areas. Although these aren't record-breaking figures, the persistent heat and poor ventilation make for very high temperatures.

The heat doesn't reach all corners with the same intensity. The Cantabrian regions, such as Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country, are spared the swelter, where the drop in temperatures will be most noticeable. Navarre, La Rioja, and the Mediterranean coast are also spared, with the exception of the aforementioned Empordà region.

The Balearic archipelago is also not among the regions on alert, making destinations like Palma, Ibiza, and Menorca authentic thermal refuges for those escaping the peninsular heat.

Given this situation, health and civil protection authorities have once again emphasized the importance of taking care of ourselves and protecting the most vulnerable. They remind everyone that it is essential to stay well hydrated, avoid going outside during the hottest hours of the day, monitor the elderly, sick, and young children, and ensure proper ventilation in homes. They also warn of the risk of forest fires and urge extreme caution in rural or mountainous environments.