Spain Records Warmest May Day Ever!

In a striking deviation from seasonal norms, Spain experienced its hottest May day on record on Friday, May 30, 2025. The national average temperature soared to 24.08°C, surpassing the previous record of 23.73°C set in May 2022, according to provisional data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) . This unprecedented heatwave underscores the accelerating impacts of climate change on the Iberian Peninsula.

Unprecedented Heat Across the Nation

The warmer conditions were most apparent in southern regions, with parts of Andalusia recording temperatures exceeding 40°C. A mass of hot air moving north from Africa was identified as the primary driver behind this extreme weather event, pushing temperatures more than 10°C above the seasonal average in some areas.

This event is not isolated. Similar early-season heatwaves occurred in May 2015 and 2022, indicating a troubling pattern of increasingly frequent and intense heat events in Spain. AEMET spokesperson Rubén del Campo noted that “summer-like conditions are arriving earlier and more frequently, even before spring has ended,”

The Broader Implications

The record-breaking temperatures in May are symptomatic of a larger trend. Climate change has been linked to the increased frequency and severity of heatwaves across Europe. In Spain, the average temperature has risen by 1.5°C between 1965 and 2015, with the frequency of heatwaves doubling since 2010.

These extreme heat events have far-reaching consequences, including heightened risks of wildfires, agricultural stress, and health hazards, particularly for vulnerable populations. The 2022 summer heatwaves, for instance, were responsible for nearly 4,000 deaths in Spain.