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Spain Records Second-Warmest June and Nearly 900 Excess Deaths From Heat

Experts warn the trend reflects human-driven warming with greater risk for older and chronically ill people.

Overview

  • Spain's meteorological agency Aemet called June 2026 'extraordinarily warm' and reported a mainland average temperature of 23.2°C, 3.2°C above the 1991–2020 norm.
  • The heatwave that struck Spain on 22 and 23 June produced the hottest June days since at least 1950 and broke many records, especially in northern regions.
  • Spain's MoMo mortality monitoring system gave a provisional estimate of about 892 excess deaths linked to the June heat, with more than 600 occurring during the most intense week.
  • MoMo measures excess deaths by comparing observed deaths to expected baselines and does not assign direct causes, so the 892 figure is preliminary and may change as registrations are finalized.
  • Aemet data show June heatwaves have become more frequent in recent decades, and experts say that rising temperatures driven by greenhouse-gas emissions raise short-term health risks and could further strain hospitals and care for vulnerable people.