Travellers planning a summer escape to Spain may want to keep a close eye on the forecast after Barcelona recorded its hottest day in more than a century of weather observations, as reported by Euro News.
Barcelona City Beach, Barcelona/Enes/Unsplash
The city reached a scorching 40.5°C on Wednesday, setting a new all-time temperature record, according to Catalonia’s regional weather service, Meteocat. The reading, taken at the historic Fabra Observatory on the city’s western outskirts, surpassed the previous record of 40°C, which was set in July 2024.
Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, located on the Mediterranean coast, also experienced its highest temperature since records began in 1924, with the mercury climbing to 37.7°C, according to Spain’s national weather agency (AEMET).
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The milestone comes as Spain endures another intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 44°C in parts of the country this week. Authorities issued the highest-level red heat warnings for areas of Catalonia and Valencia, while Barcelona remained under an orange alert.
Barcelona’s coastal location typically offers some relief from extreme summer temperatures, thanks to cooling sea breezes from the Mediterranean. However, this week’s conditions have pushed the city well beyond its usual summer averages.
The current heatwave is expected to ease after Thursday, but it follows another period of exceptional heat that swept across much of Europe in late June. During that event, mainland Spain recorded its highest average daily temperature for June since at least 1950.
The extreme conditions have also had serious public health consequences. Spain’s MoMo mortality monitoring system estimates that more than 1,000 deaths may have been linked to heat during June alone.
Scientists continue to warn that human-driven climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense across Europe and other parts of the world.
For travellers visiting Spain during the summer months, authorities recommend staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, seeking air-conditioned spaces where possible, and following local weather advisories.
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