According to Spain’s weather agency, an amber alert means “significant danger”
AEMET’s weather alerts in the Canary Islands on Tuesday, September 8(Image: AEMET)
Amber alerts for extreme heat have been issued across Spain over the coming days as temperatures could soar as high as 40C.
Spain’s weather agency AEMET (State Meteorological Agency) issues warnings in a similar way to the UK’s Met Office when there is expected to be impact caused by the weather.
Over the coming days, amber and yellow alerts are in force across the Canary Islands, mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands as temperatures soar to the high 30s and up to peaks of 40C.
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On Monday, September 7, AEMET has issued several alerts across the Canary Islands. An amber “significant danger” alert for heat is in force in the east, south and west of Gran Canaria, where temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 39C.
The whole of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote and the east, south and west of Tenerife have been hit with yellow alerts for heat, with AEMET warning that temperatures could reach highs of 34C.
AEMET’s weather alerts in the Canary Islands on Tuesday, September 8(Image: AEMET)
Over in mainland Spain on Monday, AEMET has issued five amber alerts as well as dozens of yellow warnings. Cadiz countryside, Sevillian countryside, Cordoba countryside, Morena and country, Lleida, and Guadalquivir Valley of Jaen have all been hit with the amber alert, where temperatures are forecast to soar to 40C.
Large parts of mainland Spain have been hit with yellow alerts including parts of Aragon, Castile and Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, Estremadura, Madrid, Murcia, Navarre and Valencia.
Mallorca and Ibiza are also affected by yellow heat warnings on Monday.
Tuesday, September 8, brings more heat alerts in the Canary Islands, with an amber warning affecting Gran Canaria while yellow alerts are in force across all of the other islands – Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and Tenerife. Just a yellow alert in Gran Canaria remains in place by Wednesday, September 9.
Mainland Spain on Tuesday has just yellow alerts remaining for heat and rain, where up to 40mm of rainfall could accumulate within 12 hours and temperatures could reach 38C.
AEMET’s weather alerts in mainland Spain on Monday, September 7(Image: AEMET)
On Wednesday, the Balearic Islands have been hit with AEMET’s coastal warning which means strong winds up to 60 kmh and waves of up to 3m affecting the coast of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza.
According to AEMET, a yellow alert means “low risk”. While the general population is not in danger, certain activities may be affected. The recommendation is: “Stay alert. It is advisable to regularly check the weather forecast, as some outdoor activities could be affected.”
An orange, or amber, alert signifies “major risk”. The recommendation is to “be prepared. It is advisable to take precautions and follow the latest weather information. Daily activities may be affected.”
And a red alert means “extreme risk” and the advice is to “take preventive measures and act.” It is recommended to follow the instructions of the authorities, avoid unnecessary travel and constantly check weather updates.