Over 90 municipalities in the Valencian Community saw night temperatures above 35°C. Dénia reached 39°C, setting a new local record. Meteorological networks report historic extremes across the region.
Nighttime temperatures in the Valencian Community soared to historic levels, with more than 90 municipalities recording values above 35°C. Dénia, in Alicante province, stood out with a staggering 39°C during the night, marking one of the highest nocturnal readings ever documented in the region. According to the Associació Valenciana de Meteorologia (Avamet), these figures were registered at midnight, highlighting an event described as unprecedented in the area’s meteorological history.
Several towns, including Gandia, Oliva, Cullera, Pego, Pedreger, Favara, Corbera, Orba, and Sagra, as well as València, Quart de Poblet, Picanya, Tavernes de la Valldigna, Parcent, Redován, Benirredrà, and La Vilavella, all experienced nighttime temperatures exceeding 37°C. The westerly wind, known locally as 'ponentà', intensified through the night, particularly in the Plana Baixa area. In Nules, the temperature peaked at 37.3°C at 01:16, setting a new local record for 2026. La Vilavella reached 38°C, while Betxí and La Vall d'Uixò saw 37°C, and the southern part of Onda registered 36°C.
Avamet reported that 77% of its 677 monitoring stations did not record temperatures below 25°C overnight, and in 130 locations, the mercury never dropped under 30°C. The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) noted that a shift to westerly winds late in the evening along the Valencia coast, northern Alicante, and southern Castellón led to a rapid temperature increase and a drop in humidity below 30%.
By 8 a.m. on Thursday, updated readings showed Xàtiva at 33°C, València and Oliva at 31°C, Miramar at 30.5°C, Castelló de la Plana at 29.6°C, Alicante at 28.6°C, and both Xàbia and Llíria at 28°C. The previous day, València had already set a notable mark with 42.8°C, the fourth-highest value since Aemet began observations in 1869.
This extreme episode follows a pattern of increasingly severe heat events in the region. Earlier, Valencia experienced its hottest night on record, with minimum temperatures not dropping below 30.9°C, underscoring the ongoing trend of record-breaking heatwaves affecting both residents and local infrastructure.
Such persistent high temperatures, especially overnight, can have significant implications for public health, energy consumption, and daily life. The Valencian Community, with its dense urban areas and coastal towns, is particularly vulnerable to these extremes. Local authorities and meteorological agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to take precautions during periods of intense heat. The frequency and intensity of these events highlight the growing challenges posed by climate change in Mediterranean regions, where heatwaves are becoming more common and severe.
