Scorching Summer Peak: Temperature in Catalonia Soars to 43.8°C, Breaking Previous Records
Record-Breaking Heatwave Hits Catalonia
A historic heatwave swept across Catalonia on August 11, 2025, with several towns experiencing record-breaking temperatures. The town of Vinebre in Tarragona recorded a scorching 43.8°C, breaking the previous high for the region. Ascó in Tarragona and La Seu d'Urgell in Lleida also set new August maximum temperature records with 42.2°C and 40.0°C respectively.
The extreme heat was caused by a very warm air mass arriving from the south, funneling into valleys with light winds and clear skies, particularly in the inland Ebro valley, Ponent, and the Pre-Pyrenees. This resulted in extremely high temperatures, with many local stations setting all-time August maxima.
The effects of the heatwave were severe. The extreme heat spiked fire risk to an extreme level in over a hundred municipalities, leading the Catalan government to activate maximum emergency plans and temporarily restrict access to natural areas. The heatwave also had fatal human consequences, with the death of Gheorghe Vranciu, a Romanian farmworker who collapsed while working outdoors amid the heat and died due to acute cardiorespiratory failure.
The heatwave contributed to sustained forest fire threats and strained emergency services, although cooler temperatures and rain later helped lower these risks. The Catalan health and emergency services advise hydrating early and often, aiming for shade between 12.00 and 17.00, checking on neighbors, keeping homes cool, and knowing the warning signs of heat stress.
Along the coast of Catalonia, temperatures refused to dip below 25°C, while much of the interior stayed above 20°C. Hot nights can prevent the body from recovering and increase the risk of heat stress, particularly for older people, young children, and those with heart or respiratory conditions. The night of Sunday into Monday, August 11, 2025, was the warmest night of the summer so far in parts of Catalonia.
Monday, August 11, 2025, was historic in several corners of Catalonia, with Vinebre's 43.8°C leading the way and multiple records set from Ascó to La Seu d'Urgell. A total of five long-running stations in Catalonia's XEMA network set new August maximum temperature records on August 11, 2025.
The region of Catalonia was reminded of the fierce nature of late summer during the heatwave on August 11, 2025. It is recommended to keep an eye on updates, look out for one another, and slow down until the air cools and the nights finally break. The meteorology service Meteocat confirmed the heat wave in Catalonia on August 11, 2025.
[1] Met Office
[2] Catalan News Agency
[3] Catalan Government
[4] Catalan News Agency
- This historic heatwave in Catalonia, as confirmed by the meteorology service Meteocat on August 11, 2025, could be a sign of climate-change impacts, requiring increased attention in environmental-science research to understand and mitigate future weather extremes.
- The record-breaking temperatures experienced in several towns of Catalonia on August 11, 2025, underscore the significant role that the science of weather plays in understanding and preparing for extreme weather events that have growing implications for public safety and health.
