Historic August Heatwave: Setting New Temperature Records – Is This the All-Time Heaviest Ever?
Spain Endures Severe Heatwave Amidst Unusual Weather Patterns
A scorching heatwave has swept across Spain, breaking records and causing widespread discomfort. The unusual weather event followed a very rainy spring, where regions like Madrid and Extremadura received almost three times the normal rainfall.
The heatwave, which peaked in mid-August, brought extreme temperatures to many parts of the country. On August 11, 2025, the third hottest day since 1941 was recorded. The city of Oviedo, for instance, saw a temperature of 41.2°C, more than two degrees above the previous record. Minimum temperatures close to 27°C were also recorded in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Castellón, and even Segovia, breaking their August records.
The 11th, 16th, and 17th were the hottest days during the August heatwave. In the Canary Islands, the nights of August 9 and 10 were unusually hot, with temperatures not dropping below 30°C in some areas. Asturias, however, was one of the least affected regions, with only one day of extreme temperatures on Friday, August 15.
The heatwave had significant consequences for wildlife and the territory. Thermal stress, combined with the lack of precipitation, led to extremely dry vegetation and terrain, which favored the ignition and spread of forest fires. In fact, these three days are among the 10 hottest recorded since 1941, and the heatwave ended with 1,149 temperature-related deaths in 16 days.
Climate change is believed to be an "accelerator" of fires like those devastating Spain, as stated by Álvaro Caballero. Since 1975, there have been 57 heatwaves on the Canary Islands lasting longer than 10 days; the Canary Islands have experienced the most such long-lasting heatwaves. Tropical or sweltering nights have surged this summer, being recorded in more places, further emphasizing the impact of climate change on Spain's weather patterns.
