Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, Aemet, has activated a red warning for extreme heat in the southern coastal areas of Valencia and Alicante on Thursday. Temperatures could reach 42C, particularly inland, with the highest risk between 12:00 and 19:59. The red level indicates an extraordinary danger to health, especially for vulnerable people and those outdoors during the hottest part of the day.

Orange warnings for significant risk are in force across inland parts of Valencia and Alicante, where highs of 40C to 42C are expected. Inland areas of Castellón are also affected, with orange alerts for 39C in the south and yellow alerts for 36C in the north.

Yellow thunderstorm warnings have been issued for parts of Alicante’s coast and inland areas between 16:00 and 20:59. Forecasters warn of possible very strong gusts of wind and hail, raising the risk of sudden localised damage alongside the extreme heat.

Aemet says the intense heat is expected to ease between Sunday and Tuesday. However, July 2026 is likely to be classified as extremely warm, with temperatures around 3.3C above average and about one degree higher than July 2015, previously the second warmest on record in Spain.