High temperatures to mark weekend with summer-like weather in May

Residents in Catalonia will enjoy summer-like weather this weekend despite it still being May. On Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21, the territory will reach high temperatures usually only seen in the warmest months of the year, as forecasts from Catalonia’s Meteorological Service (Meteocat) predict. 

Meteocat has issued a warning for Sunday regarding extreme temperatures expected in some inland areas. For example, Lleida will reach 37ºC and other counties such as Urgell, Pla d’Urgell, Noguera, Segrià, and Garrigues will be monitored for similar highs. 

This is only the "second time a warning has been issued this early in the year since 2012 when warnings started being announced in the new format," Sarai Sarroca, the Meteocat service director, tweeted on Thursday. 

However, it will not be a heatwave, as temperatures will not hold for as long as three days, but a "heat spike," she added.

⚠ El SMC acaba de publicar el segon avís de #calor més primerenc des de 2012 (que és quan es va començar a fer avisos amb el format actual) @meteocat

🔴 NO serà onada de calor (no se superarà el llindar de 3 dies consecutius amb valors anormalment elevats). Serà pic de calor. pic.twitter.com/JeKciL9PZ3

— Sarai Sarroca 🎗 (@sarai_sarroca) May 19, 2022

On Friday, May 20, Catalonia will have mostly clear skies, only with a few clouds in some places in the Pyrenees. During the day, some clouds may form on the coast, especially on the northern and southern shores. 

Temperatures on Friday will be similar to those seen on Thursday. However, the coast will see a more moderate spike compared to inland Catalonia. 

On Saturday, summer will be back in the territory, despite it still being spring. Temperatures will be high, especially in high points of Catalonia. During the afternoon, the heat will be very noticeable, and inland cities can reach up to 37ºC.