Catalonia faces record heat with sea temperatures exceeding 30°C

Catalonia is experiencing record-breaking extreme weather, with both air and sea temperatures reaching unprecedented levels. In Tarragona, sea temperatures have surpassed 30°C for the first time in recorded history, hitting a peak of 30.7°C. This represents a rise of approximately 2°C above the typical August average for the region. This warming trend is part of a broader phenomenon across the Mediterranean, where water temperatures are consistently 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal.

Simultaneously, the region has set a new record for the number of days exceeding 40°C in a single year. As of August 13, 2026, temperatures have surpassed the 40°C threshold 17 times, breaking the previous record of 16 days set in the prior year. Historical data shows a significant upward trend; between 2004 and 2014, reaching 40°C was rare, often occurring only twice a year, whereas recent years have seen much more frequent extreme heat episodes.

Environmental organizations, including Greenpeace, have warned that these rising marine temperatures threaten ecosystems, as species adapted to temperate waters are forced to migrate or face death. The heatwave is expected to subside following a period of intense heat, with meteorological services predicting a return to more typical August temperatures soon.