Valencia experienced its hottest night on record, with temperatures not dropping below 30.9°C. Castellón also set a new minimum. The heatwave pushed nighttime values far above previous highs, affecting much of the region.
Valencia has set a new record for the highest minimum nighttime temperature ever documented in the city, with thermometers failing to fall below 30.9°C overnight, according to provisional figures from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet). This unprecedented value surpasses the previous record of 27.5°C, which had only been reached three times in recent years. The agency notes that the minimum could still decrease if afternoon storms develop, but the current reading already marks a significant milestone in the city’s meteorological history.
Castellón de la Plana also experienced an extraordinary night, registering a minimum of 29.5°C—the highest since at least 1911. This figure overtakes the previous record set just days earlier, when the city saw a minimum of 27.4°C. Aemet-Comunidad Valenciana highlighted that all measurement devices in Valencia, including alcohol, digital, and automatic sensors, consistently recorded the same minimum temperature, underlining the reliability of the data.
Other towns across the region reported similarly extreme nighttime temperatures: Sagunt reached 31.4°C, Oliva 30.6°C, Pego 30.4°C, Alicante 28.9°C, Segorbe 28.4°C, and Orihuela 28°C. These figures followed a Wednesday in which daytime highs soared well above 40°C in many locations across the three provinces. By 8 a.m. Thursday, Xàtiva had already climbed to 33°C, after recording a maximum of 44.3°C the previous day—making it the second hottest spot in Spain, just behind Carcaixent at 44.5°C and ahead of Valencia Airport at 43.7°C.
The night from Wednesday to Thursday will be remembered for its exceptional heat, driven by a strong westerly wind that kept temperatures between 35°C and 37°C across much of the Comunitat Valenciana at midnight, with local peaks of 39°C in Dénia and Ràfol d’Almúnia. According to the Associació Valenciana de Meteorologia (Avamet), nearly 100 towns in the region saw midnight temperatures above 35°C, and several—including Valencia, Quart de Poblet, Picanya, Tavernes de la Valldigna, Parcent, Redován, Benirredrà, la Vilavella, Gandia, Oliva, Cullera, Pego, Pedreger, Favara, Corbera, Orba, Sagra, Dénia, and Ràfol d’Almúnia—exceeded 37°C.
These extreme nighttime temperatures are part of a broader pattern of intense heatwaves affecting Spain in recent years. As highlighted in a related report on the resurgence of high temperatures and fire risks across the country, authorities have repeatedly issued warnings as heat events become more frequent and severe. The current episode in Valencia and Castellón underscores the growing challenge for residents and local infrastructure, with persistent high temperatures impacting daily life, energy consumption, and public health. Meteorological agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, as further records may be set if the heatwave persists.
Spain’s Mediterranean coast, including the Valencian Community, is particularly vulnerable to prolonged heat events due to its climate and urban density. Nighttime temperatures above 30°C are rare and can strain cooling systems, disrupt sleep, and increase health risks, especially for vulnerable populations. The ongoing trend of record-breaking heat highlights the importance of adaptation measures and timely public information to mitigate the impact of extreme weather on communities.
