Jaén recorded Spain’s highest average temperatures this summer, information from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet). The province averaged 26.9°C in June, rising to 29.2°C in July. The city of Andújar, in Jaén, registered the country’s highest readings, with temperatures exceeding 43°C and even surpassing 45°C during June. Local business owners have described the persistent heat as making Jaén “the frying pan or oven of Andalucía.”
Aemet’s observation service provides hourly readings for the previous 24 hours and reports recent extremes and accumulations from midnight. Its station listings include Bailén in Jaén, as well as Sevilla-Tablada, allowing comparisons of local conditions across Andalusia. The heat is shaping daily life: residents such as Juana López Martínez, 42, have turned to shopping centres as makeshift climate shelters. Andalucía as a whole ended July with an average temperature of 28°C, making it one of the hottest Julys since 1961. Heatwaves have grown more frequent and intense in recent decades, a trend attributed to climate change.
Forecasts point to a worsening problem, with projections showing a sharp rise in days above 40°C, especially in the Guadalquivir valley. Jaén could see more than 30 days a year above that threshold by mid-century. In response, local councils are expanding climate-shelter networks to protect vulnerable groups. Extreme heat is also disrupting work routines, particularly in construction, where unions are calling for earlier start times and shorter shifts to safeguard workers’ health.
Authorities are taking further steps to mitigate the effects. The Andalusian Plan for the Prevention of the Effects of Excessive Temperatures recommends adding green space and shade in urban areas, along with access to drinking water. These measures aim to reduce health risks from prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
Spain’s struggle with extreme heat extends beyond Jaén. Other regions have also faced record-breaking temperatures, including Valencia, where nighttime minimums soared above 30°C. For example, Valencia experienced its hottest night on record, highlighting the broader national challenge posed by rising temperatures.
Heatwaves in Spain have become more frequent and severe over the past two decades. According to Aemet, the number of days with extreme heat has doubled in some areas since the 1980s. The World Health Organization warns that prolonged exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of dehydration and heatstroke, and can also cause cardiovascular problems, particularly among older people and those with chronic illnesses. Spanish cities are increasingly investing in urban-cooling measures, including tree planting and public drinking fountains, to help residents cope. The government continues to monitor conditions and may introduce further measures if current trends persist.
