Spain recorded 61 heatwave days in a summer that stretched to four months. High temperatures began in May and still show no sign of letting up. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) says the heat was the most intense in at least 150 years.
Average temperatures across the country reached 24.5°C. That broke the previous record, set in 2025, by 0.3°C and stood 2.4°C above the 1991 to 2020 average. The north and northeast took the hardest hit. In País Vasco, Navarra, Aragón, and Cataluña, temperatures ran from 3.5°C to 4.5°C above normal, pushing local infrastructure and daily routines to the edge.
This summer stood out for its duration as well as its heat. Aemet says the season began on May 17, with weather more like July. There is still no clear end: this week’s highs are expected to remain 5 to 10°C above normal. Two out of every three days from June through August were officially heatwave days, a record that reflects how much conditions have changed.
For many people in Spain, the effects have been immediate. Long stretches of heat have strained the power grid and disrupted daily habits, forcing communities, especially in the north and northeast, to adjust to a climate that no longer follows old patterns. Constant high temperatures have made daily life difficult as the summer drags on.
The forecast offers little relief. Aemet expects autumn to be warmer than usual across Spain. There could be more rain in the north and west, but the heat is likely to persist. Rising energy costs are adding to the pressure on families, as reported earlier.
Spain’s climate no longer fits the old calendar. This summer’s figures point to a shift in expectations, with extreme heat becoming less exceptional. As Spain heads into a warmer autumn, adapting to the changing seasons remains a pressing challenge.
