
Southern Europe and North Africa are reeling from a historic and widespread heatwave, with national temperature records shattered across Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.
Portugal Sets All-Time June Record: 46.6°C in Mora
In a dramatic development, the Portuguese town of Mora recorded an astonishing 46.6°C, marking the highest June temperature ever observed in Portugal. According to the IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere), 10 weather stations across the country exceeded 44°C, with new records set from the Algarve in the south to the interior northern valleys.
Spain Nears Unthinkable Temperatures
Across the border, Spain is under maximum heat alert. On June 29, a provisional national June record of 46.0°C was registered in El Granado, Andalusia, potentially eclipsing the previous record of 45.2°C. The relentless heat has impacted wide areas of Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha, with daily highs consistently above 44°C.
Morocco Swept by Record Heat
To the south, Morocco is experiencing one of the most intense heatwaves in its recorded history. Taroudant reached 47.4°C, while even the typically cooler Atlantic coast and highlands exceeded 40°C. Overnight lows remained exceptionally high, with minimum temperatures as warm as 32°C.
Key Moroccan June records shattered include:
- 45.7°C in Beni Mellal
- 43.8°C in Larache
- 40.5°C in Casablanca
A Heatwave Without Borders
This pan-regional heatwave is exceptional not only for its intensity, but also for its geographic reach and duration. Meteorologists attribute the extreme event to a persistent heat dome over the western Mediterranean, fueled by dry air masses and anomalously high pressure.
With further extreme temperatures forecast, concerns over wildfires, power demand, and human health continue to grow across southern Europe and northern Africa.

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Illustration picture: https://timelapsetravels.com/2017/12/24/portugal-day-2-exploring-lisbon-with-an-epic-sunset/