Spain has registered 4,458 heat-related deaths between June 1 and August 19, the highest toll for the period since 2022, surpassing the 3,073 recorded in the same span last year. July 2026 matched July 2022 as the hottest month since records began and was also the driest July since tracking started in 1961, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).
The Valencian Community remained under a red heat warning on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to exceed 44°C along the coast and pre-coastal areas. The city of Valencia reached 42.7°C, while Xàtiva hit 44.1°C. Forest fire risk was rated extreme across the region, and a vegetation blaze in the Carraixet ravine required aerial intervention. The Valencia city council suspended outdoor sports activities and extended municipal pool hours until 21:00.
The red alert was set to give way to an orange warning for storms and heavy rain in parts of Valencia and Alicante.