News
Madrid activates an orange heat warning with highs of up to 41 degrees
Madrid will experience a day of extreme heat this Tuesday, with an orange warning active and temperatures forcing people to reorganise routines, journeys and outdoor plans. The most difficult period will be between 13:00 and 21:00, when the thermometer will reach its highest values.
Highs will reach 41 degrees in the south, Las Vegas and several municipalities in the eastern part of the Region. In the city of Madrid and the Henares corridor, the forecast points to values of up to 39 degrees, enough to turn any journey in full sun into a test of endurance.
The heat will also be intense in the Sierra, although somewhat less extreme than in the rest of the region. There, highs will be around 37 degrees, a figure that is still high for areas where many residents and visitors look precisely for some relief during the summer.
The night will not offer much opportunity to recover either. In the centre and the south-west, lows will range between 24 and 26 degrees, while in much of the Region they will not fall below 22. This may make it difficult to rest, especially in poorly ventilated homes or those with poor protection against the heat.
The sky will be mostly clear, with dust haze and some high clouds during the afternoon. This combination may increase the feeling of mugginess and make the atmosphere feel heavier, although the wind will be light and will do little to cool things down.
In the city of Madrid, temperatures will range between 25 and 40 degrees. Alcalá de Henares, Navalcarnero, Aranjuez and Getafe will also be among the hottest places, with highs that may reach 41. In Collado Villalba, the forecast is around 38.
The recommendation is to avoid physical exertion during the central hours of the day, drink water frequently, seek shade, wear light clothing and reduce unnecessary journeys. Older people, children, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers and pets will be the groups requiring the most attention.
The alert also affects urban life. Terraces, parks, shopping, sport and journeys on public transport may change their schedules or be constrained by the heat. On days like these, bringing errands forward to early morning or waiting until night stops being a matter of convenience and becomes prevention.
The orange warning is a reminder of the extent to which Madrid's summer already shapes the city's daily organisation. When the thermometer approaches 40 degrees, Madrid operates differently: fewer people out on the streets during the hottest hours, more seeking shade and a growing need for cool spaces so that everyday life does not come to a halt.