Severe Heatwave Triggers Record Temperatures, Deaths and Widespread Fire and Rain Alerts Across Spain

A prolonged heatwave has swept the Valencian Community, Catalonia and parts of Andalusia, producing apparent temperatures up to 63 °C and causing a sharp rise in heat‑related mortality. Official figures record 253 deaths this summer, most of them people over 65, with the hardest‑hit provinces being Alicante (136 deaths), Valencia (73) and Castellón (44). The heat is accompanied by high humidity, night‑time temperatures above 35 °C and brief thermal bursts that push wind speeds beyond 90 km/h.

Simultaneously, meteorological services have issued a series of extreme‑weather alerts. Catalonia’s Meteocat activated yellow and orange warnings for intense rain, hail and flash floods in the Garrotxa, Selva and coastal areas, while also maintaining heat alerts for several comarques. In the province of Tarragona, both rain and heat alerts were in force over the weekend. AEMET placed yellow heat alerts in Málaga province, predicting highs up to 36 °C.

The extreme conditions have intensified forest‑fire activity. Fires have burned roughly 30 ha on the Roques Codolles ridge in Farrera, another blaze in Pallars Sobirà was linked to a lightning strike, and a fast‑moving fire in Vall d’Uixó prompted evacuations and the activation of the emergency unit (UME). Over the summer, fire‑related confinement orders have affected more than 140 000 residents across dozens of incidents.

Authorities urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor exposure during peak hours, and heed warnings about sudden river rises, hail and possible landslides.