By Alfonso Portabales
Madrid is currently enduring a fierce heatwave as part of a broader blistering summer aerial mass sweeping across Spain and Southern Europe. On the 6th of 鈥疛uly, the national meteorological agency AEMET issued yellow heat alerts for Madrid, warning of daytime temperatures sticking above 36鈥痙egrees Celsius. Overnight lows offer little respite, hovering above a punishing 20鈥癈.
This relentless heat marks June 2025 as the warmest on record in Spain, with a national average of 23.6鈥癈. This is hotter even than typical July or August averages. In Madrid, thermometers are expected to peak at 38掳C today and tomorrow as the heatwave continues.
Despite growing concern, the city鈥檚 parks remain open. Urban experts criticised the municipal decision to close parks such as El Retiro during earlier heat episodes, arguing that green spaces can be 10 to 15鈥癈 cooler than paved streets. Calls are increasing for updated protocols that allow limited access to protected park zones even during extreme heat.
Meanwhile, energy providers report surging demand due to widespread use of air conditioning units, pushing the national grid to its limits. All of mainland Spain remains under heat warning, placing pressure on both cooling infrastructure and power supply across the Iberian Peninsula.
This intense weather comes at a time of persistent drought in parts of Spain, exacerbated by the heatwave. Catalonia recorded dangerous wildfires last week.
Authorities continue to warn the public to take precautions: stay hydrated, avoid outdoor exercise during midday, and seek air conditioned or shaded spaces. Health centres have issued alerts to vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young children and outdoor workers.
For now, the country continues with business as usual, though summer events are being adapted. Evening concerts in open-air venues in Madrid such as Veranos de la Villa and C茅nate Las Ventas are continuing as scheduled, with cooling facilities added on site.
This heatwave highlights how swiftly extreme weather can disrupt city life. Madrid鈥檚 adaptation strategies are being tested, and residents are learning to live with a summer that feels increasingly like what August used to.
With warnings in place through tomorrow, temperatures may dip slightly later this week, but the outlook remains hot and demanding. For now Madrid pours water over its head, sleeps with windows open at night, and fans or AC on, and counts the days until autumn.