Spain Sizzles: Record-Breaking Summer Heats Up the Nation
Spain experienced its hottest summer on record, with temperatures reaching an average of 24.2°C. The nation endured devastating heat waves and wildfires amid climate change impacts, as Mediterranean areas heat faster than the global average. Wildfires burned 382,000 hectares, exceeding previous records.
- Country:
- Spain
Spain has announced that this past summer was officially the hottest on record, marking a worrying milestone for the nation and the wider Mediterranean region grappling with climate change. The country's national weather service reported an average temperature of 24.2°C between June 1 and August 31, marking the highest since record-keeping began in 1961, and surpassing the previous record of 24.1°C set in 2022.
During this scorching period, Spain experienced temperatures that were 2.1 degrees Celsius above the national average recorded between 1991 and 2020. A peak single-day temperature of 45.8°C was documented in Jerez de la Frontera on August 17, amidst an intense heat wave.
The heat exacerbated wildfires that ravaged the country, burning a record 382,000 hectares, compared to the previous high of 306,000 hectares in 2022. The European Union's European Forest Fire Information System confirmed the stark increase in wildfire devastation, particularly acute in the northwest. The United Nations has reported that the Mediterranean region is warming 20% faster than the global average, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change impacts.
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