Spain's first official heatwave of 2026 began on June 21 and is expected to last until at least June 25 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Inland areas have seen temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, with southern provinces such as Córdoba and Jaén reaching above 44 degrees Celsius [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. On June 22, 101 of 828 weather stations across Spain recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher [2].
The Basque Country is under the highest level, red, heat alert, alongside parts of Córdoba and the Bilbao area, while other regions hold orange or yellow alerts [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Nighttime temperatures remain high, above 25°C, creating 'tropical night' conditions in central and southern Spain and some river valleys [2, 3, 4, 5]. Authorities have warned about health risks for vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, and advised precautions to reduce heat-related illness [1, 2, 3, 4].
In Madrid, residents and tourists endure the sweltering heat by wearing hats, carrying water or iced drinks, and using handheld fans. Ana Garces, a Madrid social educator, said, "The heat really is exhausting" [1]. Engineer Haily San Cesario from Miami added, "I'm dressed all in white because it's so hot, and I'm carrying my little electric fan everywhere I go" [1]. A 76-year-old Barcelona resident, Jose Farre, noted the toll on his health: "I have a heart condition, I’m diabetic and I feel it a lot. We’ve gained several degrees between my youth and today... but what bothers you the most is the humidity" [2]. The challenges are shared by visitors too. Parisian traveler Marilou remarked, "Every day we buy 2 large bottles of water to drink. Madrid is hot, but Paris is just as scary. At least here the apartment has AC, back in Paris I have none" [3].
Authorities have also imposed restrictions to mitigate wildfire risks, including bans on firecrackers near forests during the Saint John celebrations [2, 3, 4, 5]. Some social measures linked to the heatwave are seen beyond Spain: France has advised vulnerable people to avoid trains and imposed partial bans on alcohol to reduce health incidents [1].
Italian atmospheric expert Lorenzo Giovannini of the University of Trento predicts the European heatwave could continue into early July, with the hot air mass shifting toward Italy after hitting Spain and France. "What is concerning is that in the medium term, there is no end in sight to this heatwave," Giovannini said [6].
The heatwave in Spain is forecast to start easing on June 25 [2, 3, 4, 5].
