Daytime alert for heatwaves deactivated and alert for hot and muggy nights maintained
The daytime stage of the heatwave alert has been deactivated as of Tuesday, 2 July, with temperatures not expected to exceed 32 degrees in the coming days (the alert is activated when temperatures exceed 34 degrees). As for nights, the alert for hot and muggy nights remains in place and was activated on Friday, 27 June, with night-time temperatures of between 27 and 28 degrees expected to continue for much of the night in the coming days.

The alert for very intense heat at night takes into account the increase in temperatures between midnight and 6 am, with the Barcelona Social Emergency and Urgent Care Centre (CUESB) remaining on alert in case specific action is needed or vulnerable people need to be transferred. A series of actions by the CUESB are also being taken as part of the Heat Plan:
- The various care services offered by the Municipal Institute of Social Services (IMSS) and telecare service remain in place, with extra monitoring of people and families identified as highly vulnerable. Wherever possible, relevant measures are established to avoid people having to go outside, such as fans and personalised support in people’s homes.
- The CUESB can offer more overnight stays where they identify a social emergency.
- In emergency situations for any citizens, teams may take to the streets or visit homes and if necessary, consider offering shelter with the Short-Term Shelter Service (SEB).
The CUESB also sends SMS to municipal social services users who are identified as particularly vulnerable, offering recommendations and tips on combatting the heat.
Climate shelters
Barcelona has a network of climate shelters to cope with the high temperatures. There are nearly 400 climate shelters, indoors and outdoors, including libraries, community centres, schools, parks and other municipal sites, all of them accessible and offering water points and seats. Outdoor spaces offer shade, while indoor spaces have air-conditioning.
There are also over 1,740 drinking fountains, located all around the city.
Longer hours for works
As from Saturday, 28 June, when the alert was activated for intense heat, a Mayoral decree has meant more flexibility in the hours for works in public space, to avoid the hottest hours of the day. As an exceptional measure, a during the alert, works can begin at 7 am and end at 9 pm, with the use of noisy machinery or work permitted between 8 am and 8 pm.
Recommendations
Follow this advice to avoid heat stroke.
Keep temperatures under control at home:
- During the day, close the shutters of windows in direct sunlight.
- Open windows at night to ventilate the home.
- Keep to the coolest rooms.
- Use some sort of cooling system (ventilators, air-conditioning, fans etc.) and aim to spend at least two hours a day in air-conditioned places, such as libraries or cinemas.
- Freshen up regularly by showering or using damp towels.
Avoid direct sunlight outdoors:
- Wear a cap or hat or use some sort of sunshade.
- Wear light clothing (such as cotton), in light colours and not too tight-fitting.
- Try to walk in the shade, use a sunshade at the beach and rest in cool spots in the street, or in closed spaces with air-conditioning.
- Carry water with you and drink it often.
- Wet your face a little and even your clothes too.
- Take care with car journeys in the hottest parts of the day and don’t stay in the car with the windows up.
- Limit physical activity during the hottest times of the day.
- Avoid leaving the house during the hottest times of the day.
Food and drink:
- Drink water and fruit juices.
- Avoid alcoholic drinks.
- Avoid food which is very hot or high in calories.
Help others:
- If you know elderly or sick people who live alone, try to visit them once a day and make sure they’re following this advice.
- If they are on medication, check with their doctor if it can affect their temperature control or if any adjustments or changes are needed.