Spain’s 2024 climate: A year of record heatwaves, erratic rainfall, and historic temperature highs

The year 2024 has cemented its place in Spain’s climatic history as the third warmest since 1961, with an average temperature of 15°C, according to the national meteorological agency, Aemet. The year was characterized by unprecedented heatwaves, stark weather contrasts, and erratic precipitation patterns, painting a vivid picture of a nation grappling with extreme climatic shifts.  

Unrelenting heatwaves and soaring temperatures  

The summer of 2024 stood out as a season of relentless heat, with three distinct heatwaves spanning a total of 22 days. Temperatures reached staggering highs, peaking at 43.5°C in Morón de la Frontera and 43.3°C in Badajoz. These figures, highlighted in Aemet’s annual climate report, underscore the intensity of the heat that gripped the country.  

The year also saw significant temperature anomalies, with January, August, and November breaking historical records as the warmest months ever documented. Winter mirrored the 2019–2020 record for the hottest winter, while elevated temperatures persisted throughout all four seasons. The eastern, central, and southern regions of the Iberian Peninsula, along with the Balearic and Canary Islands, bore the brunt of these anomalies.  

A tale of rainfall extremes  

Precipitation in 2024 was marked by dramatic contrasts. October emerged as the wettest month in Spain’s recorded history, while November and December ranked among the driest months of the 21st century. Despite these extremes, the year was classified as “wet,” with an average rainfall of 669.1 liters per square meter—105% of the normal average for the 1991–2020 period.  

However, rainfall distribution was highly uneven. The mainland and Balearic Islands experienced significant surpluses, while the Canary Islands endured their driest year since 1961, recording a mere 138.8 liters of precipitation. In Valencia, an exceptional storm on October 29 caused some areas to receive double their usual rainfall, highlighting the unpredictability of the year’s weather patterns.  

Mild cold spells in a warming climate  

In contrast to the scorching heatwaves, cold weather in 2024 was notably mild. No official cold waves were recorded, although brief periods of low temperatures occurred between February 23 and March 11. The coldest temperatures of the year were -9.2°C in Soria on January 21 and -8.7°C in Molina de Aragón on December 30, underscoring the overall trend of warmer conditions.  

As Spain reflects on the climatic extremes of 2024, the data paints a clear picture of a nation experiencing the tangible impacts of a changing climate. From record-breaking heat to erratic rainfall, the year serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by global warming and the need for sustained efforts to mitigate its effects.