Marek Kučera 
On a scorching June day in 2025, the historic city of Granada, Spain experienced an intense heat surge with temperatures soaring to +42.1°C. This extreme reading is remarkably close—only 0.5°C shy of the all-time June temperature record for Granada, underscoring a period of unusually severe heat across southern Spain and the wider Iberian Peninsula.
Anomalous +41.5°C was measured in Almadén at 590 MASL between Sevilla and Madrid.
Meteorological Context
This blistering heat was driven by a powerful Mediterranean heat dome, characterized by a persistent upper-level ridge of high pressure stretching over southern Europe. The resulting stable atmospheric conditions suppressed cloud formation, allowing intense solar radiation to heat the surface throughout the day.
A combination of dry soils, low humidity, and light winds further intensified the heat, promoting rapid temperature rises in the afternoon hours. These meteorological factors created near-ideal conditions for peak temperatures to challenge historical records.
Climatological Significance
Granada’s all-time June record stands at +42.6°C, recorded during a major 20th-century heatwave. Temperatures exceeding 40°C in June are rare but becoming increasingly frequent as southern Europe faces a warming climate trend.
The +42.1°C reading not only reflects a local heat extreme but also fits within a larger pattern of exceptional heatwaves across the Mediterranean region this year. Countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece have all reported significant temperature anomalies well above seasonal averages.
Local Impacts and Outlook
Residents of Granada experienced oppressive heat, with health warnings issued for vulnerable groups including the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions. The city’s infrastructure is challenged by rising energy demands for air conditioning and concerns about heat stress.
Forecasters expect the heat to persist for several days before a relatively cooler air mass from the Atlantic edges into southern Spain, potentially bringing relief later this week. However, the following week, anomalous +45 to +46 °C is locally expected in Andalusia.
Illustration picture: https://10wallpaper.com/view/Alhambra_Castle_Sunset_Granada_Spain_Bing_4K.html#google_vignette
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granada
