Record temperatures swept mainland Spain in June, prompting emergency warnings and overwhelming local health services in several regions. Preliminary estimates link hundreds of excess deaths to the heat, highlighting urgent preparedness gaps for particularly vulnerable populations.
Spain endured one of the hottest Junes in the history of the meteorological observation system. According to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), the average air temperature on the mainland was 23.2 °C, which is 3.2 °C above the climate norm for the 1991-2020 period. This is the second warmest June since records began in 1961; the warmest was June 2025 with 23.6 °C.
The heat wave intensified toward the end of the month: June 22 and 23 became the hottest days of June at least since 1950. The most such records were logged in the northern regions of the country, where such temperature readings were previously atypical.
Character of the heat wave and its consequences
The temperature anomaly affected mortality: according to preliminary estimates by the MoMo system, about 900 people may have died in June due to the heat, with over 600 deaths during the week of the heat peak. Spain’s Ministry of Health notes that the data require clarification, but the trend indicates serious consequences of extreme heat.
Experts emphasize that extreme heat remains one of the most dangerous weather phenomena, especially for older people, those with chronic diseases, and other vulnerable populations. They also say that in the European region June brought a number of hot spells that affected large portions of the population.
Regional records in Central Europe
In Central Europe the heat wave continues to unfold: on June 28 in Poland it may break the temperature record set in 1921 – 40.2 °C, while in the Czech Republic on June 27 a new record was recorded – 40.6 °C. Meteorologists also expect that next Sunday the temperature could exceed 41 °C.
Such data underscore the need to strengthen adaptation measures and draw attention to heightened risks for vulnerable populations during hot months.
Overall, the situation remains challenging for many landscapes in Europe, where the heat continues to pose serious challenges to health care and infrastructure.
In such a setting, national health services call on people to follow tips for protection from heat, drink enough water, and avoid excessive physical exertion during peak hours. Such record months with recurring heat waves underscore the importance of planning and readiness for extreme weather events in the future.