Madrid faces a yellow warning for intense heat this Friday

The warning will be in force between 13:00 and 21:00, the harshest part of the day. In the Metropolitana y Henares area, highs of up to 36 degrees are expected, while in other parts of the region the heat may rise a little higher, especially in the south, the river plains and more exposed areas.

In the capital, the forecast points to a dry, sunny day with hardly any relief from the wind. Temperatures will range roughly from a low of 19 degrees to a high of 36 degrees, although it may feel more oppressive on avenues with a great deal of asphalt, squares without shade and public transport waiting areas.

Municipalities in the south and along the Henares corridor will once again be among the most affected. In places such as Getafe, Alcalá de Henares, Navalcarnero and Aranjuez, highs may approach or exceed 37 degrees, with particularly harsh peaks during the afternoon.

The heat will not only affect leisure plans. It will also affect those working outdoors, running errands, accompanying children, travelling on public transport or crossing areas with little shade. The most practical recommendation will be to avoid the middle hours of the day whenever possible.

Skies will remain clear or lightly clouded, with no changes likely to ease the day. Winds will be light and variable, so sufficient ventilation to relieve the feeling of heat in the city is not expected.

For those who have to go out, it is advisable to bring errands forward to early in the morning, carry water, wear light clothing and look for shaded routes. Older people, children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses and those who live alone are the groups needing the most attention during these episodes.

Transport can also feel more oppressive on an afternoon like this. Waiting at stops without shade, walking between stations or moving through busy transport interchanges increases exposure to the heat, even if the journey seems short.

Terraces, parks and outdoor activities will also be affected. The best time for any plan will be early in the morning or at the end of the day, when the temperature starts to fall, although the night may remain warm across much of the capital.

The episode arrives at the very start of July, when Madrid enters a period of more persistent heat. Aemet is already warning that the weekend may bring further rises, with even higher temperatures in some parts of the region.

The city does not come to a standstill because of a yellow warning, but the way people use it does change. On days like this, a square without shade, a queue in the sun or a twenty-minute walk can become a real problem for many people.

Madrid is reminded once again that an urban summer is not measured only by the thermometer's high. The time, the neighbourhood, the type of work, access to shade and the possibility of taking refuge in cool spaces also matter when heat stops being a nuisance and starts becoming a risk.