SPAIN’S state weather agency has issued orange alerts for extreme heat across inland Andalucia this week as a mass of hot air brings temperatures of up to 42C.

A slow-moving high-altitude depression, known locally as a DANA, is dragging a sweltering weather front over the region from the south.

It will bring Saharan dust, known as calima, and extreme wildfire risks to the southern half of the peninsula from today (Wednesday).

READ MORE: Spain will be the only major country in the EU not to shrink this century — and Pedro Sanchez says immigration is the reason why

Aemet has warned that maximums will reach 40C in the campiña areas of Sevilla and Cordoba today, triggering significant risk warnings.

The heat will intensify tomorrow as a southerly flow pushes the mercury up to 42C in the Guadalquivir valley.

The orange warning zone will expand on Thursday to cover central Sevilla, most of Cordoba, northern Jaen and eastern Huelva.

READ MORE: Good news for drivers in Spain as hefty diesel tax cut comes into force today – here’s what it means for you

Yellow heat warnings are also in place across inland Cadiz, Huelva, and interior Granada, where the mercury is forecast to hit between 36C and 38C.

Those lower-tier warnings cover areas including the Aracena and Condado districts in Huelva, as well as the Guadix and Baza basins in Granada.

Coastal areas, including Malaga province and the Costa del Sol, have escaped the most severe temperature warnings but will not offer much respite.

Elevated humidity levels will combine with overnight minimums that will not drop below 20C, creating uncomfortable tropical nights along the Mediterranean.

READ MORE: 100 million milestone firmly in sight for 2026 after Spain smashes all-time tourism records in July 

Suspended dust in the atmosphere will also create murky skies and the risk of muddy rain showers.

Afternoon thunderstorms are set to batter the mountain ranges of Jaen and Granada, bringing torrential localised downpours and hail.

Aemet has warned that the mountain storms could also trigger sudden and dangerously strong wind gusts.

Meanwhile, a gale-force easterly Levante wind is whipping through the Strait of Gibraltar, bringing powerful gusts to coastal Cadiz and the surrounding waters.

READ MORE: Italy extends border checks on arrivals from Spain for another 15 days as tit-for-tat row over Ceuta crisis drags on

The outlook for Friday remains highly uncertain as the DANA shifts.

Aemet predicts that western Andalucia will begin to cool down as fresher Atlantic air arrives.

However, daytime temperatures are forecast to climb further along the eastern Mediterranean strip before a general decline begins over the weekend.

Click here to read more Andalucia News from The Olive Press.