Spain has been experiencing unusually high temperatures for this time of year with a heatwave that is set to continue through the month of April, with records shattered in various regions across the country. According to Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), temperatures have soared between 7°C and 15°C above normal in many parts of Spain.

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Record-Breaking Temperatures Across the Country

This unprecedented heatwave has seen temperatures reaching staggering highs, with Barcelona hitting a scorching 29.4°C, marking the highest April temperature in over a century. The warmth persisted over the weekend, with Del Campo describing it as ‘extraordinarily’ hot, reminiscent of midsummer conditions.

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Regional Highlights of the April Heatwave

The northern third of the peninsula and the Canary Islands have been particularly affected, with temperatures surpassing 30°C in some areas. Tenerife South Airport recorded a sweltering 37°C, while Ourense in Galicia reached a record-breaking 33.9°C for April. Similarly, Girona Airport in Catalonia saw temperatures soar to 31.6°C on April 13, with Agulo in La Gomera hitting 35°C, and Miranda de Ebro in Burgos and Torla in the Pyrenees reaching 33.6°C and 33°C respectively.

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Forecast: Relief Ahead, but Heat Persists in the South

The heatwave peaked on April 14, with temperatures hitting 35°C in San Nicolás, Gran Canaria; 33.5°C in Miranda de Ebro, Burgos; and 33°C in Tortosa, Tarragona.

Despite the heatwave’s intensity, forecasters predict a slight reprieve in the coming days, with minimal rainfall expected in the northernmost regions of the peninsula. While temperatures may dip slightly in the north, the south and the Canary Islands are set to continue experiencing heat, with maximum temperatures expected to reach up to 30-31 degrees Celsius.

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70+ Temperature Records Shattered in April

The unprecedented warmth throughout April has resulted in over 70 temperature records being broken across Spain. These heat episodes have persisted since the beginning of the month, affecting various regions with abnormally high temperatures. Records have been shattered not only in recent years but also in stations with data spanning over a century.

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Heatwave Impact: From Cantabrian Coast to Cataluña

The first heatwave of the month primarily impacted the provinces along the Cantabrian coast, with cities like Gijón experiencing temperatures exceeding 28°C, breaking April records dating back to 1984. Similarly, Santander broke its previous minimum temperature record for April, with temperatures reaching 19.9°C, surpassing the previous record set in 2018.

Other provincial capitals such as Salamanca, Guadalajara, and Teruel also witnessed new records for high minimum temperatures in April in Spain. Teruel’s record-breaking low was particularly notable, surpassing a record set in 1987.

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Centenary Stations Witness Historic Highs

Some of the most remarkable records were set in centenary weather stations. In Zaragoza, the Daroca station broke its April high minimum record, which had stood since 1947. Meanwhile, in Cataluña, the Fabra centennial station in Barcelona broke its April maximum record for the second consecutive year, reaching 29.4°C, surpassing last year’s record of 27.5°C.

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Canary Islands: Hotspots of Record-Breaking Heat

The Canary Islands also experienced numerous record-breaking temperatures, with Tenerife North Airport recording a new high minimum of 22.4°C, and Tenerife South Airport reaching a scorching 38.3°C. These records underscore the extraordinary nature of the April heatwave gripping Spain.