By Anders Lorenzen
In late May 2025—weeks before summer officially begins—Spain is again scorched by a record-breaking heatwave. But this time, the heat arrives even earlier than the unprecedented temperatures of July 2023, raising alarms across Southern Europe about a future of perpetual, climate-driven extremes.
Spain heat: 2023 vs 2025
In July 2023, temperatures in Spain exceeded 40°C, and—for the first time—land surface temperatures soared beyond 60°C. That heatwave set a new benchmark for European extremes and offered a grim preview of the climate future.
By May 2025, that future has arrived sooner than expected. Seville hit 41°C and El Granado 39.1°C—making it not only the hottest May day on record, but the hottest spring day since measurements began in 1941.
2025 Southern European heat
As in 2023, several other southern European countries struggled with extreme heat.
Portugal
Spain’s Iberian neighbour also endured significant heat stress, with the region of Amareleja recording 39.5°C, which equalled the country’s highest May temperature. In Portugal’s capital, Lisbon, temperatures reached 37°C, and the Algarve region saw temperatures in the mid-30s.
Greece
Greece—one of Europe’s top tourist destinations—has seen a rise in extreme heat events in recent years, including tourist fatalities.
The country’s capital, Athens, reached 38°C, and the tourist island of Crete experienced temperatures of up to 36°C.
Southern France
In the southern French region of Canet-en-Roussillon, a temperature of 32.3 °C was recorded.
It could pose headaches and concerns for sporting organisers as the country, in early July, will host the biggest annual sporting event on the calendar, the Tour de France. The role that climate-fueled events play in sporting events has increased in recent years, with last-minute changes to the stages becoming necessary.
Impacts
With much of Southern Europe already facing compounding drought and heat stress after a drier-than-average 2025.
Spain
Since 2021, Spain has experienced a prolonged drought. In March 2025, they finally received some relief with heavy rainfall across specific regions, allowing for the much-needed refilling of reservoirs.
However, extreme rainfall following floods also has significant impacts, as the perched soil, acting like concrete, can not immediately and quickly absorb heavy rain, and in this case, it led to extreme flooding, causing substantial economic impacts and casualties.
This is precisely the scenario that climate scientists warn about: one type of extreme weather event gives way to the opposite type.
Portugal
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reports rainfall levels are 35% below the long-term average. Cereal production has declined by approximately 25%, and vineyard yields are projected to decrease by 20%, which will impact the wine industry.
Greece
There are profound and acute water shortages across Greece. However, it is particularly severe in the southern mainland and islands, such as Crete, where reservoirs are at just 25% capacity.
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) reports a 45% reduction in annual rainfall compared to the long-term average. This has led to a projected 35% decrease in olive oil production and a 30% drop in vegetable yields.
These shortages have also dented Greece’s vital tourism sector as some regions report a 10% decline in visitors due to water shortages and restrictions.
Southern France
The Rhône-Alpes region in southern France is experiencing significant reductions in water availability, with precipitation levels 40% below the seasonal average, impacting vineyards and cereal crops. Vineyard yields are projected to fall by 20% as water restrictions have been imposed in several areas.
Looking ahead
This latest bout of extreme heat is likely to intensify pressure on Spain and its neighbours—and indeed the wider world—to accelerate investments in clean energy and invest in sustainable agriculture, water management, and resilient infrastructure.
As these events come ahead or in the transition between spring and summer, this would provoke increased anxiety about what is to come not only in those countries but widely across Europe.
Economic and health impacts
On top of the economic impacts for agricultural and tourism sectors as well as other impacted sectors, it has detrimental effects on human health and well-being.
Heat-related illnesses, such as heatstroke and heat exhaustion, surged, burdening healthcare systems and endangering vulnerable populations, with particular concerns for the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions.
Extreme heat also disrupted daily life and wellbeing, including impacts on mental health.
There will be renewed calls to implement early warning systems for extreme heatwaves, improve urban planning to counter the urban heat island effect, and enhance healthcare systems to better manage rising heat-related illnesses.
Anders Lorenzen is the founding Editor of A greener life, a greener world.
Discover more from A greener life, a greener world
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: climate change, Europe, impacts
