Spain is preparing for an unusually early and intense heatwave that is expected to sweep across much of the country this week, with temperatures forecast to exceed 40°C (104°F) in the southern regions—an alarming sign of the increasing impact of climate change on the Iberian Peninsula.
According to Spain’s Aemet meteorological agency, the extreme heat is set to affect large parts of Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castile-La Mancha, beginning Monday and intensifying through the middle of the week. Cities such as Seville, Córdoba, and Badajoz are predicted to experience peak temperatures well above seasonal norms.
“This is a very early episode of extreme heat for the end of May,” said Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for Aemet. “We are talking about temperatures that are more typical of mid-July than late spring.”
The early arrival of such high temperatures has raised concerns among health authorities and emergency services, who have issued warnings for heat-related illnesses and advised the public to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during peak hours, and check on vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly and children.
Hospitals in the affected regions have been placed on alert, and local governments have activated emergency protocols to deal with the heat, including providing cooling centers and issuing public service announcements through radio and social media channels.
In Andalusia, where temperatures could hit 42°C, authorities have already restricted outdoor work during certain hours, especially in construction and agriculture, to reduce the risk of heatstroke and accidents. The region has also implemented wildfire prevention measures, as the extreme heat and dry conditions significantly increase the risk of fires.
This heatwave is the latest in a pattern of increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events that have gripped Spain in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, the country experienced some of its hottest summers on record, accompanied by widespread drought, water shortages, and devastating wildfires.
Scientists link these events to climate change, warning that southern Europe is warming faster than many other parts of the world. Spain, in particular, has been identified as a climate hotspot, with studies showing that heatwaves are becoming more severe, more frequent, and starting earlier each year.
“This is not an anomaly anymore—it’s becoming the new normal,” said Isabel Fernández, a climate researcher at the University of Granada. “We are witnessing the effects of long-term warming trends, and the consequences are already being felt by communities, ecosystems, and the economy.”
The agricultural sector, which is already under stress from ongoing drought conditions, is expected to suffer further. Crops such as olives, almonds, and grapes are highly sensitive to extreme heat, particularly when it occurs outside of their normal growing seasons. Farmers in Andalusia have expressed concern about potential yield losses and are calling for increased support and better water management strategies.
Tourism officials, meanwhile, are watching the situation closely as Spain prepares for the summer travel season. While hot weather is usually a draw for beach destinations, extreme temperatures could deter visitors and strain local infrastructure, especially in inland areas less accustomed to heat-related pressures.
Environmental groups are using the occasion to once again push for faster climate action, calling on the Spanish government to accelerate its transition to renewable energy and invest more in adaptation measures to protect communities from heatwaves and other extreme weather events.
With the heatwave expected to last several days, authorities are urging the public to follow safety guidelines, limit exposure to direct sunlight, and monitor official channels for updates.
As Spain braces for yet another heat-driven crisis, experts warn that such events are no longer isolated or exceptional. They are a clear signal that the climate emergency is deepening—and that urgent action is needed to prepare for a much hotter and more volatile future.
Source: The Guardian
