Barcelona recorded a provisional maximum temperature of 40.5°C on Wednesday, the highest figure since the Fabra Observatory began keeping records 112 years ago, according to regional weather monitor Meteocat. The reading surpassed the previous record of 40°C set on 30 July 2024, as another intense heatwave swept across Spain.
At Barcelona's El Prat airport, situated near sea level along the Mediterranean coast, the thermometer hit 37.7°C—the highest reading at that station since records began in 1924, Spain's national weather agency AEMET confirmed. AEMET spokesman José Ángel Núñez stated: "Barcelona has recorded the hottest day," noting that both observatories serve as the city's reference points for climate data.
Heatwave Persists Across Spain
The heatwave, which began on Sunday, is forecast to continue until Thursday. Some weather stations in the region have already reported temperatures exceeding 44°C this week. AEMET issued its highest red warning for heat in pockets of Catalonia and Valencia on Wednesday, while an orange alert—the second-highest level—covered large parts of central, southern, and northeastern Spain, including Barcelona.
The proximity of the Mediterranean Sea typically moderates temperatures in Spain's second-largest city, a global tourist hub. However, this week's extreme conditions overwhelmed that moderating effect, underscoring the growing intensity of heatwaves across southern Europe.
An exceptional heatwave that gripped much of Europe in late June saw mainland Spain experience its highest daily average temperatures for that month since at least 1950, at 28.17°C. According to estimates from the MoMo monitoring system, more than 1,000 deaths could be linked to heat in June alone.
Scientists attribute the increasing intensity, length, and frequency of extreme weather events such as heatwaves to human-driven climate change. The record in Barcelona adds to a growing list of temperature milestones across the continent this summer.
For context, the broader European heatwave pattern has also affected other regions. In Germany, humid conditions have led to a surge in mosquito populations, as reported in Germany Faces Surge in Mosquito Populations as Humid Weather Creates Ideal Breeding Conditions. Meanwhile, the health impacts of extreme heat are drawing attention to the need for adaptation measures across the continent.
As Spain continues to swelter, authorities urge residents and visitors to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun during peak hours, and check on vulnerable individuals. The record in Barcelona serves as a stark reminder of the accelerating effects of climate change on European cities.
