Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s first heatwave of the summer has officially ended. However, the country is still taking in the scale of an extreme weather episode that broke June records, pushed temperatures into dangerous territory, and reminded residents and visitors how quickly early-summer heat can become a public health concern.
After several days of extreme temperatures, provisional data from AEMET shows that 23 June 2026 was the hottest June day in mainland Spain since at least 1950. The day before, 22 June, was the second hottest June day in the same historical series.
AEMET described the episode as an extraordinary heatwave, especially in northern Spain, where several areas experienced temperatures rarely seen in June.
The end of the official heatwave does not mean Spain is suddenly cool. It means the most extreme phase has passed. For many residents and visitors, the heat risk remains part of daily life.
What did AEMET record?
According to provisional AEMET data reported by Cadena SER, the national average maximum temperature on 23 June reached 36.88 °C, making it the hottest June day in mainland Spain since at least 1950.
The previous day, 22 June, was also historic. AEMET placed it as the second hottest June day in the series, and Cadena SER reported that the night of 22 June also ranked among the warmest nights recorded.
The heatwave was especially striking because of where some of the highest temperatures were recorded. Areas of northern Spain, more often associated with cooler summer conditions, experienced exceptional values.
In Cantabria, Tama in Liébana reached 43.7 °C. Bilbao airport recorded 42.7 °C on 24 June, one of its highest values for June or July.
For many people in the north, this was not simply “a hot few days”. It was an extreme episode in places not always built, planned or emotionally prepared for such heat.
Why this heatwave felt different
Spain is used to hot summers, particularly in inland Andalucia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia and parts of the Ebro valley. But this episode arrived early in the season and spread its impact widely. It pushed temperatures above normal in many areas, including parts of northern Spain where sustained heat above 40 °C is far less common.
That is one reason the heatwave felt so intense.
People in southern Spain often live with habits built around heat: shutters closed during the day, errands done early, outdoor work adjusted where possible, and evenings used for social life. In cooler regions, the same routines may not be as deeply embedded.
Homes may also be less adapted. Air conditioning is less universal. Buildings may hold heat differently. People may be less used to changing their day around extreme temperatures. This is why record heat in northern regions can feel particularly disruptive.
The heatwave is over, but the risk is not
El País reported on Thursday that Spain has left behind the official heatwave, but not the heat. The relief is expected to be gradual, and health risks can continue even after the most extreme weather warnings end.
The Ministry of Health warns that excessive heat can cause dehydration, cramps, heat exhaustion, sunstroke and heatstroke. Older people, babies, young children, pregnant women, outdoor workers and people with existing health conditions face a higher risk.
Heat is not only about the afternoon maximum. Warm nights matter too. When temperatures do not fall enough after sunset, the body has less chance to recover. Homes stay warmer. Sleep becomes harder. People who are already vulnerable may become exhausted over several days.
That is why the end of a heatwave does not always feel like immediate relief.
Why humid heat can be dangerous
One of the most important lessons from recent heat episodes is that the thermometer does not tell the whole story. The body cools itself mainly through sweating. But when humidity is high, sweat evaporates less effectively. That makes it harder for the body to release heat.
El País reported that research by Climate Central found that the number of dangerous humid-heat days has increased since the 1970s, raising the health risk even when temperatures alone do not look record-breaking.
This matters for coastal areas, where high humidity can make the air feel heavier and reduce the body’s ability to cool down. It also matters at night. A humid 27C or 28C night can be more exhausting than people expect, especially without air conditioning or good ventilation.
Nights are becoming part of the problem
AEMET has also pointed to the growing importance of tropical nights, when temperatures do not fall below 20 °C. According to Cadena SER’s report on AEMET data, the increase in tropical nights is particularly noticeable in Mediterranean communities, where summer nights above 20 °C are now almost constant in many areas.
For residents, this is often the part of summer that changes daily life the most.
A hot afternoon is hard. A hot night after a hot afternoon is harder. Whereas, several hot nights in a row can leave people tired, irritable and less able to cope with the next day. This is especially difficult for older people living alone, families with young children, people in top-floor flats, and workers who cannot avoid early starts or physical tasks.
What should people do now?
The practical advice remains similar, even after the official heatwave ends.
People should keep drinking water regularly, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and continue using shutters, blinds or curtains to keep indoor spaces cooler.
It is also worth checking on older neighbours, relatives and anyone living alone.
If someone becomes dizzy, confused, very weak, nauseous, unusually hot, or stops sweating despite feeling overheated, they may need urgent help. In a serious case, call 112. The Ministry of Health’s Meteosalud map continues to show local health-risk information linked to high temperatures.
For anyone travelling around Spain, it is also sensible to check local conditions. Temperatures can vary sharply between coastal areas, inland towns, mountain zones and cities.
A warning for the rest of summer
This heatwave may be over, but summer has only just begun. AEMET’s seasonal forecast points to a high probability that June, July and August will be warmer than normal across Spain. That does not mean every week will bring extreme heat. But it does mean residents, visitors, employers, councils and health services are likely to face more pressure as the summer develops. Schools, workplaces, public transport, care homes, outdoor events and holiday destinations will all have to think more carefully about how people cope when heat becomes intense for several days.
A historic start to summer
Spain has just experienced a heatwave that will enter the records. The official episode has ended, but its meaning will last longer than the weather itself. The hottest June day since at least 1950. Exceptional temperatures in northern Spain. Warm nights. Health-risk alerts. Cities adapting public spaces and workers changing routines.
This is no longer unusual weather that can be brushed off as “just summer”. It is part of a changing pattern that affects how people live, work, travel and care for one another in Spain.