Climate crisis
News and analysis of the climate crisis.
Why there are fears of more serious floods in Spain this autumn
Spanish meteorologists have warned that this summer's weather conditions are similar to those recorded prior to the devastating 2024 Valencia floods, increasing the likelihood of heavy, sudden downpours such as Wednesday's along Spain's Mediterranean.
CONFIRMED: This has been Spain's hottest summer on record
Mainland Spain endured its hottest summer since records began in 1961, with an unprecedented 61 heatwave days across June, July and August, national weather agency Aemet said on Wednesday.
Madrid to invest €1.2 billion in air-con for schools as summer heat lingers
As high temperatures increasingly bookend the beginning and end of the academic year in Spain, the Madrid government has pledged over a billion euros on air-conditioning installation in the region.
Climate crisis: How the supersized El Niño could hit Europe
With Europe already seeing record-breaking temperatures and extreme weather episodes the summer, here's how meteorologists say the supersized El Niño phenomenon could hit the continent's climate in the coming months.
Organisers shorten Vuelta a Espana stage 15 due to extreme heat
Organisers of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race said they were shortening Sunday's stage 15 route from Palma del Rio to Cordoba by around 80 kilometres because of extreme heat.
45.7C: Spain records hottest September temperature
Spain registered its joint-highest temperature for September on record on Thursday September 3rd with 45.7C measured in a southwestern town as exceptional heat hits the country, weather agency Aemet reported on Friday.
Will the European Union take up the climate fight after brutal heatwaves?
Is climate change set for a comeback as a top EU priority, after a deadly summer of record-breaking heatwaves across Europe?
Spain records over 5,000 heat-related deaths since June
Spain registered more than 5,000 heat-related deaths from June to August, data from a public health institute showed on Tuesday, a record since the start of its statistics in 2015.
'We're heading for catastrophe': The summer climate change hit Europe
For generations, summer in Europe has been languid and dreamy, bringing fine weather and lengthy days on sunny beaches and terraces. But in 2026, the brutal reality of climate change forced its way into daily life.
Heavy rain lashes northeast Spain, injuring 11
Heavy rain battered northeast Spain, flooding streets, trapping people in cars, forcing the evacuation of a campsite and injuring 11 people, officials said Saturday.
Heatwave-hit Europe logs over 30,000 excess summer deaths
Europe saw at least 30,000 excess deaths across a blistering summer of back-to-back heatwaves and drought which scientists have blamed on man-made climate change, according to provisional figures.
Spain records nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths since June 1st
Spain registered nearly 4,500 heat-related deaths from June 1 to August 19th, the highest amount during this period since 2022, according to figures from the public Carlos III Health Institute consulted by AFP Thursday.
LATEST: Europe's battle with wildfires continues
Countries across Europe on Sunday continued to battle wildfires amid blistering temperatures and tinder-dry landscapes.
Europe battles new wave of wildfires
Countries across Europe on Saturday battled wildfires amid blistering temperatures and tinder-dry landscapes, with thousands of people evacuated.
More than 150 million in Europe face temperatures over 35C on Friday
Millions of people across Europe -- particularly in France, Italy, Spain and Britain -- baked through a new wave of extreme temperatures Thursday as the continent's latest heatwave picked up.
Gelato for lunch? Bedlinen in the freezer? Heatwave tips from southern Europe
With scorching temperatures breaking records across Europe this summer, The Local has put together tried and tested tips for surviving heatwaves from southern Europe, where locals have had decades of practice coping with the heat.
July was Spain's hottest month on record
July was mainland Spain's joint-hottest month since records began in 1961, national weather agency Aemet said on Monday, after high temperatures fuelled the country's biggest wildfire in recent history.
Western Europe experienced hottest June-July on record
Western Europe experienced its hottest June-July on record as climate change fuels an historic summer of heat, drought and wildfires across the region, the EU's global warming monitor said Monday.
Why Europe won't get any new Canadair water bombers any time soon
As firefighters struggle to contain some of the worst European wildfires in living memory with reduced numbers of aerial water bombers, production of the iconic aircraft creaks along half a world away in a Canadian factory.
Tourists from France and Spain flock to Sweden for cooler summer
More and more tourists from southern Europe – particularly France and Spain – are heading to Sweden to experience a cooler summer, according to new data from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Development.
Should you cancel your holiday in Spain due to the wildfires?
The news in Spain over the past few weeks has been dominated by a series of devastating wildfires, including Spain’s largest ever, with thousands of hectares destroyed. So, should you still come here on holiday or is it better to cancel?
LATEST: France and Spain race to contain 'monster' fires ahead of new heatwave
Shelters in France and Spain on Monday overflowed with exhausted locals and holidaymakers forced to flee blazes so massive some were forming their own mini weather systems, as authorities warned a new heatwave was set to descend on parts of the region.
Will heatwaves push European holidaymakers to 'coolcations'?
European holidaymakers worn down by recurrent heatwaves are currently snubbing Mediterranean destinations for northern climes in hopes of cooler temperatures, but it remains to be seen whether it is just a fad or a durable shift in the tourism market.