Spain reports second-warmest June since records began in 1961

Madrid – 14 July 2026: Spain experienced its second-warmest June since the nationwide record series began in 1961. The state weather agency AEMET put the average temperature on mainland Spain at 23.3 degrees Celsius. This represents a deviation of 3.2 degrees compared with the 1991 to 2020 reference period. Only June 2025 had been warmer so far.

This means the initial assessment needs to be clarified: not the entire start of summer 2026 was the warmest in recorded history. However, individual records were reached during the June heatwave. According to AEMET, nationwide average daily values on 22 and 23 June exceeded the previous high for a June day, which had been recorded on 30 June 2025.

The high nighttime temperatures were also particularly striking. At 24 of the 86 main stations in the AEMET monitoring network, the highest average minimum temperature for a June since local records began was recorded. At 15 main stations, the highest daily values of the month also set new June records. The heat therefore did not affect only individual afternoon hours, but shaped large parts of the month.

Alongside the heat, June on mainland Spain was very dry. AEMET recorded an average of 12.4 litres of precipitation per square metre. This corresponds to 39 percent of the value usually seen in June during the 1991 to 2020 comparison period. The combination of high temperatures and low moisture places additional strain on agriculture, water reserves and vegetation.

The state civil protection service had already warned in early July of a period of persistently high temperatures. According to the authorities, heat, dry air and possible thunderstorms with strong wind gusts also increase the risk of forest and vegetation fires. Regions with dry soils and dense, parched vegetation are particularly vulnerable.

The monthly assessment confirms an exceptionally warm first phase of summer without surpassing the previous year’s record. The distinction is important for the assessment: the record days of 22 and 23 June refer to the nationwide daily average, while the monthly comparison covers the whole of June. Both indicators, however, show how early and intensely extreme heat built up in Spain in 2026.

AEMET bases its assessment on the national climate record series since 1961 and comparison with the 1991 to 2020 climatological average. The agency therefore points to a robust basis for classifying the month. For residents and municipalities, it remains crucial to follow official weather warnings and guidance from civil protection authorities during further heatwaves.