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Madrid faces another week of heat with warnings for high temperatures
Madrid begins the week with a small respite at night, but heat will take hold again during the day. Minimum temperatures will fall slightly in the capital, although maximum temperatures will rise again and make afternoons tough across much of the region.
The forecast points to clear skies, plenty of sunshine and dry conditions, with temperatures gaining strength from Tuesday onwards. In the city of Madrid, thermometers will range from 33 degrees on Monday to values close to 37 degrees on Tuesday, before remaining around 36 on Wednesday.
AEMET maintains yellow warnings for high temperatures in the Metropolitana y Henares area for Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday's warning envisages highs of 37 degrees between 13:00 and 21:00, while on Wednesday the expected threshold drops slightly to 36 degrees.
The heat will be felt more intensely in the valleys in the centre and south of the region, especially in urban areas and municipalities where asphalt, traffic and the lack of shade raise the perceived temperature. Getafe, Leganés, Aranjuez and the Henares corridor will once again experience particularly oppressive afternoons.
The wind will blow lightly, mainly from the south and south-west in the middle of the day, which may reinforce the muggy feeling in streets, on terraces and at public-transport stops. The absence of cloud cover will make for very bright days, but also few chances of relief during the day.
The slight fall in minimum temperatures will help people sleep somewhat better than in previous spells, especially in the Sierra and in less densely built-up areas. In the capital, however, nights will remain warm and many homes will retain the heat accumulated during the afternoon.
The episode requires routines to be adjusted: avoid exertion in the middle of the day, drink frequently, seek shade and pay attention to older people, very young children and neighbours living alone. On days like these, getting around Madrid also requires more leeway and less improvisation.
The week presents a familiar image of Madrid's summer: slightly less stifling nights, very hot afternoons and a city adapting its timetables, plans and journeys to the thermometer. The heat does not bring Madrid to a halt, but it does change how it is lived from first thing in the morning until sunset.