First half of summer Spain's hottest on record: weather agency

Mainland Spain registered its hottest first half of the summer since records began in 1961, with two heatwaves sending temperatures soaring, national weather agency AEMET said on Tuesday.

The average temperature from June 1 to July 15 was 24.5C, 3.3C higher than the figure of 21.2C for the 1991-2020 reference period, AEMET spokesman Ruben del Campo told AFP.

Temperatures for Tuesday and Wednesday were calculated using forecasts and any "small difference" with observations "will have scant impact on the analysis", he added.

"Practically all days in the summer of 2026 have up to now recorded temperatures higher than the normal average in the whole of Spain," AEMET said on X.

The period was marked by an exceptional heatwave in late June that sent temperature records tumbling across Europe, has been linked with thousands of deaths and disrupted life for millions.

Mainland Spain recorded its highest daily average temperatures and highest average minimum temperature for June since at least 1950.

The extreme heat hit unusually early in a country that is on the front line of climate change and tends to bake in July and August.

It also sparked the highest alert in northern regions including Cantabria and the Basque Country, which are usually spared the harshest heat.

Scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the length, intensity and frequency of heatwaves, which dry out vegetation and contribute to the likelihood of wildfires.

A ferocious blaze that started on Thursday in the southeastern province of Almeria killed 13 people, in Spain's deadliest wildfire in recent times.

A fresh red alert for heat will be in place on Wednesday for parts of the Valencia and Aragon regions.