Catalonia hits 40C for first time in 2023, as heavy rain expected this week

Catalonia is roasting again, as temperatures hit 40C for the first time in 2023 on Sunday.

The southern town of Vinebre, close to the Ebre river delta, saw highs of 40.9C, the Catalan weather agency Meteocat reported.

Surpassing 40C so early in summer is not common, but last year it occurred between June 15 and 18.

Many other municipalities in the counties near Vinebre, such as Ribera d'Ebre, Terra Alta, Priorat and Segrià, in the west and south of Catalonia, saw thermometers soar to between 36C and 40C - for instance, in Lleida, temperatures hit 38.3C.

The weekend has been very summery everywhere, with temperatures peaking at 33.9C in Girona, in the northeast, and at 30.2C at Barcelona's Fabra observatory.

The same weather station in the highest part of the Catalan capital registered a minimum temperature of 25C on Sunday night into Monday - nightly values above 20C are considered 'tropical' in Catalonia, while above 25C are labeled as 'torrid.'

Indeed, other municipalities also neared torrid values during the night, including Portbou, in the northeastern corner of the country, with 24.9C.

Temperature drop and rain coming

Yet, the weather will change sharply in the coming days: temperatures will drop and heavy rain is expected.

So far, Meteocat has issued 'moderate danger' rain warnings for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Ripollès, Berguedà, Osona and Garrotxa counties, in the northeast of the country, close to the Pyrenees.

Temperatures will remain high, but will steadily drop during the week.