The Xunta de Galicia has issued a red alert for inland inland Pontevedra province for Friday, 4 September 2026, due to an expected heatwave. The measure is based on assessments by MeteoGalicia and the Galician heat action plan, and was announced on Thursday. The north-west of the province of A Coruña and the mountainous areas of the province of Ourense are also on orange alert. The mountainous area of the province of Lugo and the area of Valdeorras remain on yellow alert.
According to official forecasts, maximum temperatures of around 36 to 39 degrees Celsius are expected inland and in southern Galicia. As a precaution, the regional government ordered outdoor activities in the school and youth programme Xogade to be suspended in red- and orange-alert zones on Friday between 12:00 and 20:00. Health and safety authorities recommend drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding physical exertion during the hottest hours, cooling indoor spaces and protecting particularly vulnerable groups such as older people, infants and people with chronic illnesses.
The alerts follow the regional warning system, which uses three levels to reflect the health risks of extreme heat and sets thresholds according to local conditions. Thresholds inland are lower than in coastal areas, so higher alert levels are reached sooner. MeteoGalicia explains that the assessment takes account of measured and forecast temperatures, as well as local geographic features.
The state meteorological agency Aemet reported markedly elevated readings at several stations across Galicia over the past 24 hours and expects peaks to remain high on Friday, especially inland. The Xunta de Galicia stressed that the red alert is precautionary and applies for Friday only; services will decide whether to extend it according to how readings and health conditions develop. Municipalities and facilities were asked to make cooling spaces available and pass on information to residents.
By activating red alert inland in Pontevedra and orange alert in other parts of the region, the regional government aims to prioritise public protection. The authorities also point out that simple precautions can significantly reduce the risks on a hot day; they are particularly important in the afternoon, when the heat is most intense.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).