Spain Sees Record Number of Heat-Related Deaths in May
The total marks the highest number recorded for the month since monitoring began in 2015. Reports indicate that the figure is approximately 3.6 times greater than the average number of heat-related deaths typically recorded in May over the last ten years.
The sharp rise followed a late-May heatwave that pushed temperatures to unprecedented levels across 23 provinces. According to meteorological data, parts of both the Mediterranean Sea and the Cantabrian Sea also experienced their warmest May conditions since records started.
The data was published alongside the launch of Spain’s 2026 national heat prevention strategy, a program designed to limit health impacts and reduce fatalities associated with extreme weather conditions.
Reports further indicate that between 2015 and 2025, an estimated 27,564 deaths in Spain were connected to high temperatures. The year 2022 recorded the highest toll, with 4,789 deaths, while 2025 ranked second with 3,832 fatalities.
Health officials cautioned that mortality risks increase significantly when temperatures rise beyond established safety thresholds. According to estimates, the likelihood of death climbs by between 9.1% and 10.7% for each additional degree Celsius above those levels.
Authorities emphasized that people aged over 75 remain the most vulnerable to extreme heat. Other groups facing increased health risks include young children, pregnant women and individuals living with chronic medical conditions.
Forecasts for the coming summer suggest that above-average temperatures are likely across much of the country during June, July and August. The highest probability of unusually warm conditions is expected in northern Spain, along Mediterranean coastal areas and throughout the Balearic Islands.
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