Barcelona recorded a scorching 40.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, marking the highest temperature in 112 years of observations. This was announced by Spain's meteorological services, against the backdrop of a new wave of heat gripping the country.
Preliminary data was obtained from the Fabra Observatory meteorological station, located on the hills in the western part of Barcelona. This figure surpassed the city's previous temperature record of 40 degrees, which was set on July 30, 2024.
At Barcelona's El Prat Airport, located on the Mediterranean coast, the temperature reached 37.7 degrees. According to the Spanish National Meteorological Agency (AEMET), this also became the highest figure in the entire history of observations at this station, which have been conducted since 1924.
Jose Angel Nuñez, a representative of AEMET, confirmed that Barcelona experienced the hottest day in its recorded history. Typically, the proximity to the Mediterranean Sea moderates the heat in the city, but this time, high temperatures reached record values.
The heatwave, which began in Spain on Sunday, is expected to persist until Thursday. This week, temperatures at some meteorological stations have exceeded 44 degrees. On Wednesday, AEMET declared the maximum "red" alert level due to the heat in certain areas of Catalonia and Valencia. An "orange" warning was in effect for most of the central, southern, and northeastern regions of the country, including Barcelona.
Scientists note that human-induced climate change is leading to an increase in the intensity, duration, and frequency of extreme weather events, including periods of anomalous heat.
