Last updated: 29 July 2026
Spain is now in its fourth heatwave of summer 2026, with AEMET’s special warning active from Tuesday 28 July and running at least through the weekend. Forecast highs sit at 39C to 42C in the south-west river valleys, the Ebro valley and the north-east, while the country simultaneously battles its worst wildfire crisis in decades.
Key takeaways
- Spain’s fourth heatwave of summer 2026 began 28 July and is forecast to last at least through 2 August, with highs of 39C to 42C in the south-west valleys, the Ebro valley and inland Andalusia, plus 37C to 38C in the Canary Islands.
- This follows three earlier heatwaves in June and July, including a record-breaking late-June spell that hit 45.1C at Andujar (Jaen) on 22 June and Spain’s first red alert of the year (44C) in Tarragona and Valencia on 9 July.
- Spain is fighting its worst wildfire outbreak in years: a fire near Burgohondo, Avila, has burned roughly 50,000 hectares, now the largest wildfire in the country’s recorded history, alongside a Guadalajara fire above 32,000 hectares and further blazes in Madrid, Toledo and Castellon.
- More than 100,000 people have been evacuated or confined across Madrid, Avila, Toledo and Castellon since late July, and at least 14 deaths and 10 missing have been linked to the fires.
- June to mid-July 2026 was Spain’s hottest start to summer since records began in 1961, and the Carlos III Health Institute has linked more than 1,150 deaths to heat since the national heat plan began on 15 May.
- Stay safe: hydrate, avoid the midday sun, seek air-conditioned or shaded spaces, and follow AEMET, Spanish Ministry of Health and Proteccion Civil alerts.
If you are travelling to Spain this week, expect extreme afternoon heat, warm nights, extreme wildfire danger and disrupted travel in central Spain. Here is where it is hottest, what the alerts mean, and how to stay safe.
How hot is the Spain heatwave right now?
Spain is in its fourth heatwave of the summer, with AEMET’s special warning active since Tuesday 28 July and expected to hold through at least Sunday 2 August. Yellow alerts covered most of the country on 28 July, with orange alerts spreading through Extremadura and Andalusia that day, then into Aragon, Navarre and inland Catalonia from 29 July.
- South-west river valleys and the Ebro valley: forecast highs of 39C to 42C through the week
- Inland Andalusia (Cordoba, Jaen): around 40C to 42C
- Castilla y Leon (Burgos and surrounding areas): around 39C
- Canary Islands (La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria): 37C to 38C, with an extreme wildfire risk
- Galicia, coastal Asturias, Cantabria and coastal Valencia and Andalusia: spared the worst of the heat for now
Low humidity, southerly winds and high temperatures mean AEMET expects wildfire danger to keep climbing toward extreme levels through the week. Nights remain warm in the south and east, with lows staying above 20C in many areas.
Spain’s summer 2026 heatwaves so far
This is Spain’s fourth heatwave before the end of July, an unprecedented pace matched only loosely by 2017 and 2022. The table below tracks how each spell has unfolded.
| Heatwave | Dates | Peak temperatures and notes |
|---|---|---|
| First (record spell) | 19-23 June | 45.1C at Andujar (Jaen) on 22 June; hottest June days in mainland Spain since 1950; 160+ station records broken |
| Second | 4-9 July | First red alert of 2026: 44C in Tarragona and Valencia; 41-43C inland (Andujar, Cordoba, Lleida, Toledo) |
| Third | 21-23 July | Orange alerts across 10 regions; 44-45C in the Guadalquivir and Ebro valleys, south-east and inland Mallorca |
| Fourth (current) | 28 July onward | Yellow and orange alerts spreading nationwide; 39-42C in south-west and Ebro valleys, coincides with Spain’s worst wildfire outbreak in years |
Between 1 June and 15 July, mainland Spain’s average temperature reached 24.5C, 3.3C above the 1991-2020 norm and the warmest opening to summer since records began in 1961. AEMET has confirmed 109 temperature records broken so far this year, and forecasters say July 2026 could tie with July 2022 as Spain’s warmest month on record.
Spain heat levels by region
The table below summarises conditions during the current, fourth heatwave. Temperatures and alert levels change daily, so always check the live AEMET warnings map before you travel.
| Region | Forecast highs (28 Jul onward) | Alert level |
|---|---|---|
| Andalusia (inland: Cordoba, Jaen) | 40C to 42C | Orange |
| Extremadura | up to 41C | Orange |
| Ebro valley, Aragon, Navarre, inland Catalonia | 39C to 42C | Orange |
| Castilla y Leon (Burgos area) | around 39C | Yellow / Orange |
| Canary Islands (La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria) | 37C to 38C | Yellow, extreme wildfire risk |
| Galicia, coastal Asturias/Cantabria, coastal Valencia and Andalusia | milder, cloud and sea breeze | Lower / none |
Alert colours follow AEMET’s warning scale: yellow, orange and red. Regional health bodies may raise their own heat-health alerts separately.
The far north and Spain’s Mediterranean coastal strips continue to fare best, cooled by cloud and sea breezes, though smoke from inland wildfires can still affect air quality even where temperatures are milder.
What do the AEMET red and orange alerts mean?
AEMET issues colour-coded warnings for extreme heat, and a red alert signals a genuine and immediate threat to health.
- Yellow: be aware
- Orange: be prepared
- Red: take action, significant risk
AEMET deployed its first red alert of 2026 on 9 July, covering Tarragona and the southern Valencia coast at 44C. Spain’s Ministry of Health runs a parallel heat-health plan from 15 May to 15 September, with province-by-province thresholds above which the risk of heat-related death rises sharply.
Official travel advice
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises travellers to check warnings from AEMET and the European meteorological services, and to follow guidance from the Spanish Ministry of Health for the area they are visiting.
With Spain now battling its worst wildfire season in years, also check regional Proteccion Civil advisories and road and rail status before travelling through central Spain, particularly Madrid, Avila, Toledo and Guadalajara provinces.
How deadly has the 2026 heat been?
The human toll from the summer’s heat remains severe. The Carlos III Health Institute’s MoMo monitoring system had linked more than 1,150 deaths to heat since Spain’s heat-health plan began on 15 May, including 937 in June alone, a 153% jump on June 2025.
The daily death toll eased through early July: the first four days of the month recorded 153 heat-attributable deaths nationwide, around 60% fewer than the same days in 2025. Spain’s Valencia region logged 142 heat deaths in the first two weeks of July, its worst on record.
Separately, Spain’s wildfire crisis has its own, more direct death toll: at least 14 people have died and 10 remain missing in fires across central Spain as of late July, according to news agency reporting.
Who is most at risk
Most heat-related deaths in Spain occur among older adults. The Ministry of Health identifies the most vulnerable groups as:
- People aged 75 and over
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- Those with chronic illnesses
If you are travelling with anyone in these groups, take the heat seriously and plan your days around it.
How the heat can disrupt your travel
Extreme heat does more than make sightseeing uncomfortable; it is now disrupting transport, attractions and air quality across parts of Spain. Here is what to watch for.
- Rail: Spain’s infrastructure manager Adif imposes temporary speed restrictions in extreme heat because steel rails can expand and buckle and overhead power lines can sag. Operator Renfe warns that these limits can cause delays beyond its control, so build in buffer time and check your train status on the day.
- Air travel: High temperatures make aircraft performance and ground handling more demanding, and airport aprons get punishingly hot. Delays are possible during peak-heat afternoons, so keep an eye on your flight status and carry water airside; you can compare and track fares to Spain, including on Iberia and Vueling, on Wego.
- Wildfires: Spain is fighting its worst wildfire outbreak in years. A fire near Burgohondo, Avila, has burned roughly 50,000 hectares (now the largest wildfire in the country’s recorded history), a Guadalajara blaze has passed 32,000 hectares, and further fires are active in Madrid, Toledo and Castellon. Spain declared a national emergency, more than 100,000 people have been evacuated or confined, and road, rail and Proteccion Civil advisories should be checked before travelling through central Spain.
- Attractions: Outdoor and heritage sites may cut afternoon hours or advise against midday visits during red alerts. Aim to visit early in the morning or in the evening, when both the crowds and the temperature ease.
How to stay safe in the Spain heatwave
Spanish health authorities and the NHS give consistent advice for coping with extreme heat. Use this checklist while you are in Spain.
- Hydrate often: drink water regularly even if you are not thirsty, and go easy on alcohol, caffeine and very sugary drinks.
- Avoid the midday sun: stay out of direct sun and heavy activity roughly between noon and 6pm, when it is hottest.
- Find cool spaces: use air-conditioned hotels, museums, shopping centres or local climate shelters to cool down through the day.
- Confirm A/C before you book: many older Spanish apartments and budget hotels have limited or no air conditioning, so check that your room has working A/C, especially in the hot south.
- Dress for it: light, loose, light-coloured clothing, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
- Watch for warning signs: dizziness, headache, cramps, nausea or confusion can signal heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Cool down and seek help; call 112 in an emergency.
- Check the elderly and children: look in on older travellers and never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
- Protect medicines: keep medication cool, as heat can affect how some drugs work.
- Stay clear of wildfire zones: follow Proteccion Civil evacuation and confinement orders immediately if you are in an affected area, and avoid rural roads near active fires.
Planning your trip around the heat
You can still enjoy Spain during a heatwave with a heat-smart plan. Front-load outdoor sightseeing into the early morning, save the hottest hours for a long lunch, a siesta or an air-conditioned museum, and head back out in the evening when Spanish cities come alive.
When booking accommodation, confirm that your room has working air conditioning, and consider staying somewhere with a pool. Browse hotels in Spain, including Madrid, Seville, Malaga and Barcelona, to compare options with cooling in mind.
Further reading
For a month-by-month view of Spanish temperatures and the best times to visit each region, see our Spain summer weather guide. For the wider picture across the continent, including how the heat is affecting flights and trains, read our Europe heatwave guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spain safe to travel to during the 2026 heatwave?
Spain remains open to travellers, and no government has advised against visiting because of the heat itself. The main risks are to your health and, in central Spain, from active wildfires, so follow AEMET, Spanish Ministry of Health and Proteccion Civil alerts and adjust your plans accordingly.
How hot is it in Spain right now, on 29 July 2026?
Spain is in its fourth heatwave of the summer, with highs forecast at 39C to 42C in the south-west valleys, the Ebro valley and inland Andalusia through at least 2 August. The Canary Islands are seeing 37C to 38C with extreme wildfire risk, while the far north and some coasts stay milder.
Has Spain broken any new heat records in July 2026?
The national high for the year remains 45.1C, set at Andujar (Jaen) on 22 June. AEMET has confirmed 109 local temperature records broken so far in 2026, and forecasters say July 2026 could tie with July 2022 as Spain’s warmest month on record.
Where in Spain is hottest during a heatwave?
The interior south and south-west are consistently hottest, especially Andalusia around Cordoba and Jaen, plus the Ebro valley and Extremadura. Coastal and northern areas, cooled by the sea and Atlantic breezes, are generally more comfortable, though smoke can affect air quality further afield.
What should I do if a red heat alert is issued?
A red alert means significant risk to health. Stay out of the sun during the hottest hours, keep hydrated, remain in cool or air-conditioned spaces, and seek medical help or call 112 if anyone shows signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Are Spain’s wildfires affecting travel?
Yes. Spain declared a national emergency as fires in Madrid, Avila, Toledo and Guadalajara burned well over 80,000 hectares combined and forced more than 100,000 evacuations or confinements. Check regional Proteccion Civil advisories and your route status before travelling through central Spain.
Will the heat disrupt flights or trains in Spain?
It can. Adif applies temporary rail speed limits that delay Renfe services, and heat can affect airport operations and flight timings during peak-heat afternoons. Wildfire smoke and road closures near affected provinces add a further layer of disruption, so check your route and allow extra time.
The bottom line for travellers
Spain’s 2026 heatwave season is intense and, at times, dangerous, with a fourth spell now underway alongside the country’s worst wildfire crisis in years. A well-planned trip is still very doable if you track alerts, avoid affected wildfire zones, sightsee in the cooler hours, and book accommodation with reliable air conditioning.
When you are ready, compare flights to Spain and find a cool place to stay on Wego.
Sources
- AEMET — Official meteorological warnings map (live alerts)
- Moncloa.com — AEMET activates alert for the July 2026 heatwave: affected areas and wildfire risk
- The Local Spain — Spain awaits fourth summer heatwave as extreme heat becomes the norm
- Al Jazeera — Wildfires in Spain and France force evacuation of more than 200,000 people
- The Objective — Avila fire becomes the largest in Spain’s history at 50,000 hectares burned
- que.es — Guadalajara fire surpasses 32,000 hectares, still out of control, 34 municipalities evacuated
- Euronews — Spain faces hottest week of summer with temperatures up to 45C
- Euro Weekly News — Spain’s hottest start to summer since 1961 (1 June-15 July average 24.5C)
- Infobae — España registra 153 muertes atribuibles al calor en los cuatro primeros dÃas de julio, 60% menos que en 2025
- Tutiempo.net — España registra más de 1.180 muertes por calor extremo entre junio y los primeros dÃas de julio de 2026
- AEMET Blog — Historical June 2026 heatwave: 22 and 23 June among the warmest June days in Spain since at least 1950
- GOV.UK FCDO — Spain travel advice: check AEMET and European met services, follow Spanish Ministry of Health and NHS heat guidance
- Renfe — Delays possible due to temporary Adif speed restrictions on the rail network
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
