Barcelona Sets New Heat Record of 40.5°C, Weather Agencies Confirm
Poinews.com – A new temperature milestone was reached in Barcelona on Wednesday, with the city hitting 40.5°C, surpassing its previous record by 0.5°C. This extreme reading, recorded at the Fabra Observatory on the outskirts of the city, was reported by regional meteorological service Meteocat. Meanwhile, the El Prat airport, situated near sea level and adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, logged 37.7°C, marking the highest temperature since 1924.
Confirming the Record
According to AEMET, Spain’s national weather agency, the two stations—Fabra and El Prat—serve as key reference points for the city’s climate data. José Ángel Núñez, a spokesperson for AEMET, stated,
“Barcelona has recorded the hottest day.”
Despite the Mediterranean’s usual cooling influence, the city remains vulnerable to intense heat, especially during prolonged heatwaves.
Escalating Heatwave
The current heatwave, which began on Sunday, is expected to persist through Thursday. During this period, several weather stations in Spain are projected to report temperatures exceeding 44°C. AEMET has activated its highest red warning for heat in parts of Catalonia and Valencia, while orange alerts are in place for regions across central, southern, and northeastern Spain.
Broader Regional Impact
Earlier this month, a severe heatwave affected much of Europe, leading to unprecedented daily average temperatures in mainland Spain. The highest recorded average for June was 28.17°C, a figure that has raised concerns about the climate’s shifting patterns. MoMo, a monitoring system, estimated that over 1,000 fatalities could be connected to the heat during that time.
Climate Change Connection
Experts note that human-driven climate change is intensifying the occurrence and severity of extreme weather events. Heatwaves, in particular, are becoming more frequent and longer-lasting, according to scientific assessments. This trend underscores the growing challenge of managing heat-related risks in cities like Barcelona, which are increasingly exposed to such conditions.
