Spain recorded a marked temperature contrast on Sunday. According to the spokesperson for the state weather agency AEMET, José Luis Camacho, a high of 40.3 degrees was recorded in Fuencaliente in the province of Ciudad Real , while in Puebla de Sanabria in the province of Zamora the low was 3.5 degrees. The readings come from the regular overview of notable weather events published by AEMET at the start of the week.
Camacho placed the figures in a clear geographical pattern: very high daytime highs in the centre of the Valle del Guadalquivir and neighbouring areas, alongside very cool nights in higher-altitude areas in the north of the country. Fuencaliente lies near the natural park of Sierra de Andújar and is often among the hottest places in Spain’s interior during heatwaves. Puebla de Sanabria, in the north-west of the Meseta, is known for pronounced overnight cooling when conditions are clear and winds are light.
The contrast between 40.3 and 3.5 degrees within a few hours highlights the wide geographical range of temperatures at present. AEMET says such differences are possible in late summer, when very warm air masses persist in the south and inland, while strong radiative cooling sets in at night in the north and in high-altitude valleys. The spokesperson gave no specific forecast for how long these conditions would last; the assessment covers the 24 hours up to Sunday.
Short-term impacts can vary by region. In particularly hot areas, heat stress increases for outdoor workers and vulnerable groups. Agriculture is also sensitive to very high daytime temperatures, for example when planning irrigation or organising harvests. In the north, cooler nights benefit power networks and cities, but sensitive crops in valley areas could be damaged if temperatures fall further.
The reported extreme readings are provisional daily records and may be adjusted after internal quality checks of the data series. AEMET publishes observations and alerts about notable weather events on an ongoing basis. The agency advises the public to follow regional warnings and apply heat- and cold-protection guidance as appropriate to the season and location.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).