Heatwave expected to surpass 43 degrees over the weekend in parts of Catalonia

The current heatwave taking over the country is expected to reach 43 degrees celsius in some areas over the course of the weekend, according to the Meteorological Service of Catalonia.

The high points are expected in the most inland areas, especially in Central Catalonia, the Pre-Pyrenees valleys, the Lleida area, and pre-coastal spots. 

On Thursday, temperatures above 42 degrees were seen in Artés and Gurb, two central, inland towns. 

Minimum temperatures will also be persistently high, with values unlikely to fall below 25 or 26 degrees. 

Some predictive models indicate that from Monday, the heat will gradually normalize.

Barcelona residents told to avoid Collserola

People in the Catalan capital should avoid the Collserola park during the heatwave, as the risk of wildfire remains very high. 

Some forest fires have already been seen in various points across Catalonia this week, including one that burned dozens of hectares in the south.

Albert Batlle, the head of security at the local council, has asked the public to stay away from the park as much as possible. 

Víctor Moliné, operational manager of the Fire and Rescue Prevention and Extinction Service (SPEIS), explained that the drought in the park and the heatwave make the risk of fire "very high," and echoed the calls to minimize activity there. 

On the other hand, Batlle has called on citizens not to crowd the same areas of the beach if they go there. 

On Thursday, Barceloneta beach had to be temporarily closed due to overcrowding.

Cities search for heatwave solutions

Barcelona has 162 heat shelters for people to find shade and stay cool in, amid dangerous levels of high temperatures. 

Forty libraries, nine museums, 11 schools, and 19 sports complexes, among others, have opened their doors. 

Outdoor spaces have also been set up in 46 parks and gardens. 

Some towns surrounding the Catalan capital, such as Molins de Rei and Sant Andreu de la Barca, have also made municipal facilities such as theatres or market spaces available to the public to find shade in. 

In Molins, the old people's home in the Canal district has been filled with people who do not have air conditioning in their homes or who, despite having them, have preferred to go to the home due to the increase in the price of electricity.

Barcelona has a total of 162 climate shelters, some indoor and some outdoor. All of them are open to the public from June 15 to September 15 and are fully operational.

In Lleida, the locals have been searching for any solution possible that may offer some shade or relief from the sun and heat, reaching 40 degrees on Thursday. 

Many are covering their heads with caps, while hydration is ensured when leaving home with bottles of water, or else taking advantage of the various public taps. 

Shaded spaces are also keenly sought, as are green spaces converted into heat shelters.