Spain Endures Hottest Summer on Record Since 1961

(MENAFN) Spain endured its hottest summer on record since 1961, the national meteorological authority confirmed Tuesday.

The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) reported that average temperatures across June, July, and August soared 2.1°C (3.8°F) above typical seasonal levels.

Throughout the summer, the country faced two intense heat waves lasting a combined 33 days, meaning that roughly one out of every three summer days was marked by extreme heat, according to AEMET.

While parts of the northeast were hit by severe storms sporadically, most regions, especially northwestern Spain, experienced unusually dry conditions.

“This, together with the heat, aggravated the forest fires in August,” the agency noted in a video posted on social media.

By the close of August, wildfires had consumed over 400,000 hectares (988,000 acres) nationwide—exceeding six times the average area burned during the same period from 2006 to 2024.

AEMET highlighted a concerning trend of progressively hotter summers in Spain, issuing warnings about the serious impacts on ecosystems and public health.

Preliminary excess mortality data indicate that extreme heat caused 3,656 deaths this summer in Spain, a sharp increase from the 2,010 heat-related deaths recorded in summer 2024.

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