Catalonia braces for second summer heatwave

Catalonia is once again bracing for "extreme temperatures" this summer, and on Monday parts of central and western Catalonia will already be hitting the 37ºC mark. 

Set to rise even further from Tuesday and remain high for at least week, the inland counties of el Segrià, Noguera, Pla d’Urgell and Garrigues are, according to the Catalan government's Civil Protection agency, at greatest risk. 

#proteccioCivil demana extremar les precaucions davant la previsió de temperatures extremes 🌡 a partir de dimarts

NOTA PREMSA 👇https://t.co/Wt9UoqmXky pic.twitter.com/JE19PxN0LE

— Protecció civil (@emergenciescat) July 10, 2022

This comes a month after a heatwave saw temperatures rise above 40ºC in Catalonia's inland counties as well as other parts of the Iberian Peninsula.

Scorching weather puts forested areas at greater risk of wildfires and complicates firefighting efforts, as evidenced by the multiple blazes in Catalonia last month.  

How to keep cool

Residents of affected areas, especially in western Catalonia, are advised to keep themselves – and their pets – as hydrated as possible and to avoid going out at peak heat hours.

Children, people with chronic illnesses, and the elderly are the most at-risk population groups. People with relatives over the age of 75 who live alone are advised to check in on them regularly.