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Heatwave that fuelled deadly wildfires was Spain’s ‘most intense on record’ Heatwave that fuelled deadly wildfires was Spain’s ‘most intense on record’
(1 day later)
Country’s weather agency says 10-day period from 8-17 August was hottest since at least 1950, as fires still rageCountry’s weather agency says 10-day period from 8-17 August was hottest since at least 1950, as fires still rage
A 16-day heatwave Spain suffered this month was “the most intense on record”, the country’s state meteorological agency (AEMET) has said.A 16-day heatwave Spain suffered this month was “the most intense on record”, the country’s state meteorological agency (AEMET) has said.
Provisional readings for the 3-18 August heatwave exceeded the last record, set in July 2022, and showed an average temperature 4.6C higher than for previous such phenomena, the agency said on X. Provisional readings for the 3-18 August heatwave showed a maximum temperature anomaly 4.6C higher than the temperature threshold for a heatwave. This surpassed the previous record in 2022 by 0.1C, the agency said on X.
The August heatwave exacerbated tinderbox conditions in Spain that fuelled wildfires that continue to ravage parts of the north and west of the country.The August heatwave exacerbated tinderbox conditions in Spain that fuelled wildfires that continue to ravage parts of the north and west of the country.
More than 1,100 deaths in Spain have been linked to the heatwave, according to an estimate released on Tuesday by the Carlos III Health Institute.More than 1,100 deaths in Spain have been linked to the heatwave, according to an estimate released on Tuesday by the Carlos III Health Institute.
Since it began its records in 1975, AEMET has registered 77 heatwaves in Spain, with six going 4C or more above the average – five of those since 2019. Since it began its records in 1975, AEMET has registered 77 heatwaves in Spain, with six going 4C or more above the threshold – five of those since 2019.
Scientists say the climate crisis is driving longer, more intense and more frequent heatwaves worldwide.Scientists say the climate crisis is driving longer, more intense and more frequent heatwaves worldwide.
AEMET said a 10-day period within the last heatwave, covering 8-17 August, was the hottest 10 consecutive days recorded in Spain since at least 1950.AEMET said a 10-day period within the last heatwave, covering 8-17 August, was the hottest 10 consecutive days recorded in Spain since at least 1950.
The agency said it was “a scientific fact that current summers are hotter than in previous decades”.The agency said it was “a scientific fact that current summers are hotter than in previous decades”.
It added: “Each summer is not always going to be hotter than the previous one, but there is a clear trend towards much more extreme summers. What is key is adapting to, and mitigating, climate change.”It added: “Each summer is not always going to be hotter than the previous one, but there is a clear trend towards much more extreme summers. What is key is adapting to, and mitigating, climate change.”
This article was amended on 25 August 2025. An earlier version said temperatures in Spain were on average 4.6C higher than previous heatwaves; however, this difference refers to the temperature intensity against the heatwave threshold. This year’s heatwave was 0.1C higher in intensity than the previous record set in 2022.