SPAIN BRACES FOR 40°C TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK: IS CLIMATE CHANGE TO BLAME?

Spain Braces for 40°C Temperatures This Week: Is Climate Change to Blame?

Spain is preparing for an unusually hot summer, following a record-breaking May. The national meteorological agency, AEMET, reported on Friday that there's a 60% chance the country will experience above-average temperatures from June to August. This comes after scorching temperatures late last month, with mercury soaring to 40.7°C at Córdoba and Seville airports and 37.5°C in Zaragoza. On May 30, the average temperature reached 24.08°C, the highest May value since records began in 1950.

As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned, there's no doubt that "human-caused greenhouse gas emissions have led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme temperatures." The last three summers were the hottest on record in Spain, and summer 2025 appears set to continue this trend.

Where Will It Be Hottest?

The probability of a hotter-than-usual summer rises to 70% along Spain's Mediterranean coast and in the Balearic and Canary Islands. The eastern coast—including Barcelona, Valencia, and the Balearics—is expected to experience frequent "tropical nights," with temperatures not dropping below 20°C, and many consecutive days above 35°C.

AEMET has issued orange-level heat warnings for today (June 17) in the rural areas of Córdoba and Seville—where temperatures could hit 41°C—and in Vegas del Guadiana in Extremadura. After a very rainy spring, there's no clear precipitation trend for this summer, the agency added, though the usual pattern involves long dry periods occasionally interrupted by storms.

To help people prepare for increasingly hot summers, the Spanish Ministry of Health last year published a new map with more detailed heat alerts. The map divides the country from 52 provincial areas into 182 "meteosalud" (or health weather) zones, providing a color-coded alert system for each. These hyperlocal heat alerts range from green (no risk) to red (high risk to health and life). In addition to a color, these warnings come with information on sun exposure, hydration, and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. An English version of the official heat alert website is also available to help warn tourists, students, and new residents of the risks.

This year, Spain's annual heat plan integrates the new meteosalud areas with a guide advising various administrations, healthcare providers, and citizens on how to deal with intense heat. The guide follows a study by the Carlos III Health Institute, which determined the heatwave threshold in these different areas, considering variables like heat-related deaths.

How Climate Change Is Fueling Heatwaves

According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA), every heatwave globally is now stronger and more likely due to human-caused climate change. This is confirmed by numerous previous analyses, including one that found the extreme heat experienced in Spain and Portugal in April 2023 would have been almost impossible without human-induced climate change.

2024 was the hottest year on record and the first calendar year in which the global temperature exceeded pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C. Carbon dioxide is the main contributor to global warming; its atmospheric concentration surpassed 430 parts per million (ppm) last month. As average temperatures rise, the amount of "extremely hot" time increases, making extreme heat events more frequent, longer, and more intense.

Staying Safe During a Heatwave in Spain

"Extreme heat is a silent killer that impacts people's health, social, environmental, and economic well-being, particularly women and vulnerable communities," says Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO of Climate Resilience for All (CRA).

The women-led climate adaptation NGO shares five key points to help people in Spain, Europe, and elsewhere prepare for upcoming severe heatwaves:

1. Know the signs of heat-related illnesses, for yourself and others. Recognize early symptoms like dizziness, headaches, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Pay close attention to these symptoms in vulnerable groups:

   • Pregnant women may experience worse dehydration and risks to the baby.
   • Low-income workers, especially outdoors, might ignore symptoms for fear of losing wages.
   • The elderly and children may not feel thirst or express discomfort clearly.
   • Co-workers might seem fine one moment and collapse the next. Learn to act quickly.

2. Use trusted early heat warning systems. Download and follow AEMET for real-time, science-based heat alerts via app, SMS, or website. AEMET issues heatwave warnings based on region, severity, and duration: use it to plan your day and check on others.

3. Everyone is at risk, even those who are fit and healthy. As temperatures rise, even healthy adults can suffer from heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially during physical activity or prolonged exposure. Don't assume you're immune. Stay constantly hydrated, rest in the shade or air conditioning, and schedule strenuous activities for early mornings.

4. Take action to protect your home and community. Close curtains and blinds during the day. Use fans or create cross-ventilation in the evening. Check on neighbors, especially those living alone. Advocate for cooling shelters, shaded workspaces, and water access points in your area.

5. Don't underestimate nighttime heat. When nighttime temperatures exceed 25°C, the body cannot recover from the day's stress. Insufficient sleep increases cardiac risk, reduces productivity, and worsens mental health. Use cool showers, damp sheets, or ice packs before bed. Create a communal "cool room" with fans or air conditioning if electricity is limited. Let employers and schools know that heat affects performance and health, even after the sun goes down.

Are you familiar with your local heat warning systems, and how do you prepare for extremely hot weather?