SPAIN EXPERIENCES RECORD 61 DAYS OF HEATWAVES

MADRID, SEPTEMBER 9 /SRNA-Reuters/ - Spain recorded 61 days of heatwaves across the mainland and the Balearic Islands in 2026, the highest number ever recorded and far above the previous peak of 41 days in 2022, the national meteorological agency AEMET said.

Spain also experienced its hottest summer since records began in 1961, with an average temperature of 24.5 degrees Celsius.

Four heatwaves affected mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, including a six-day episode in early September, AEMET said, meaning that Spain experienced exceptionally high temperatures on roughly two out of every three days during the summer.

The most intense heatwave, which lasted for most of July, affected 37 provinces.

The heatwaves in July and August, which lasted 23 and 24 days respectively, were among the longest recorded since at least 1975.

The September episode affected 16 provinces and was the fifth heatwave recorded in that month since records began.

Scientists say that extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent due to human-induced climate change.