MADRID / RankWire.AI / – Mainland Spain experienced its hottest summer since official records began in 1961. The average temperature across June, July, and August reached 24.5 degrees Celsius. Official data from the national meteorological authority confirmed that seasonal temperatures broke the previous record set in 2025 by 0.3 degrees Celsius and surpassed the 1991–2020 climate baseline by 2.4 degrees Celsius. This record heat was driven by extreme heat events that affected two-thirds of the summer period.
Data released by the State Meteorological Agency shows that the country saw an unprecedented 61 heatwave days during these three months. This number far exceeds the 41 heatwave days recorded in the summer of 2022. Experts note that all ten of Spain’s hottest summers in history have occurred in the 21st century, highlighting an accelerating warming trend across southern Europe.
Public health and municipal infrastructure faced severe impacts due to the intense heat. The Carlos III Health Institute’s epidemiological mortality data estimates that over 5,000 deaths resulted directly from extreme heat from June through August. This is the highest total recorded since the health agency began standardized heat-related mortality tracking in 2015.
State Meteorological Agency Affirms Record-High Seasonal Temperatures
High temperatures also created harsh environmental conditions in forests and rural farms. The European Forest Fire Information System reports that around 296,000 hectares were burned by wildfires through early September. Spain’s hottest summer was marked by prolonged dry spells that drained reservoirs, causing operational issues for agriculture and hydroelectric facilities.
Atmospheric stations recorded that extreme thermal conditions extended beyond typical summer months. On September 2, a station in El Granado, in the southwest, measured a peak of 45.7 degrees Celsius, tying the national September temperature record. Forecasters confirmed that high heat persisted from late May into early September across several autonomous communities.
Over 290,000 Hectares Burned in Summer Wildfires
Following the official meteorological report, government ministers presented the findings to parliament. They urged for strengthened environmental protections. Minister for the Ecological Transition Teresa Ribera appealed to parliamentarians to back comprehensive policies on climate adaptation, emergency infrastructure, and drought resilience.
Agencies monitoring weather and public health will continue to track temperature and environmental trends through fall. Statistical reports and environmental data will be available through government portals. Authorities are also coordinating regional resource management to address ongoing agricultural and environmental challenges.