Heat shapes Sunday in Madrid and its mountains: how the week will continue

The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología is maintaining warnings for maximum temperatures in the Comunidad de Madrid during the middle of the day. In the capital and the Henares corridor, the thermometer may reach 39 degrees, while in the Sierra de Madrid the warning also points to very high values for areas many residents usually seek out as a refuge from the heat.

The most difficult period will come between 13:00 and 21:00. This will be the stretch when walking along streets without shade, waiting for the bus, working outdoors or playing sport can be more demanding. The sun, asphalt and lack of thermal relief will increase the feeling of sweltering heat at many points in the city.

The capital may reach a high close to 39 degrees today, with a minimum that does not fall much during the early hours. That means the heat will not only be an afternoon problem: it will begin to be felt early and remain until the end of the day.

The mountains will not escape the episode either. Mountain municipalities that in other summers serve as an escape from Madrid's heat will face a demanding day, with high temperatures even at middle elevations. Navacerrada may be around 32 degrees, a notable figure for an area where many plans depend precisely on being outdoors.

That is why heading up to the mountains today does not necessarily mean finding cool weather. Long routes, exposed climbs, areas without water and the middle of the day can become a bad combination, especially for children, older people or people unaccustomed to physical exertion in hot weather.

The episode does not end on Sunday. Next week will maintain a very warm pattern across the Comunidad de Madrid. In the capital, highs close to 39 degrees are expected on Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday could even reach around 40.

The nights will remain one of the most uncomfortable aspects. With high minimum temperatures, many flats will not cool down enough, especially in dense neighbourhoods, upper-floor, interior or poorly ventilated homes. When the city does not rest at night, fatigue builds up the next day.

In the mountains, the heat will also continue over the coming days. Although temperatures will be somewhat lower than in the centre of Madrid, they will remain high for mountain activities, long walks or full days outdoors.

The second heatwave also arrives in the middle of a weekend, with more travel, family plans, terraces, swimming pools and visits to natural areas. The risk lies not only in the thermometer, but in the combination of prolonged exposure, little shade, dehydration and overconfidence.

The risk of forest fires also rises in a context of such high temperatures, dry vegetation and low humidity. In the mountains and in any natural setting in the Community, it is advisable to exercise extreme caution and avoid any behaviour that could cause an emergency.

For today, the most practical recommendation is to reorganise schedules. Errands, walks or long journeys will be more manageable early in the morning. From midday onwards, the priority should be to seek shade, hydrate frequently and reduce physical effort.

It will also be important to pay attention to vulnerable people. Older people, babies, people with chronic illnesses, people who live alone and workers exposed to the sun are those who may suffer most from a persistent heat episode like this.

Madrid thus faces a summer Sunday at its harshest: clear skies, plenty of sunshine and temperatures near 40 degrees. The mountains will provide some relief, but not enough to let one's guard down.

Next week will not bring a clear change in the outlook. The heat will remain in place and will force people to adapt routines, schedules and plans. This Sunday will not be an isolated episode, but the start of several days in which Madrid will have to function with the thermometer at its highest.