Overview
- Meteorological networks show Catalunya is in its third heatwave this summer, with stations reporting extreme highs and sustained warm nights that reduce overnight relief for residents.
- Official readings include 40.9°C at the Observatori Fabra last week and a 42.4°C maximum in Anglès on July 15, figures used by forecasters to warn of ongoing extreme daytime heat.
- City officials on July 15 convened more than 40 public and private actors to launch the 'Barcelona a 50 ºC' programme and scheduled a tabletop decision exercise for February 2027 and a full operational simulation for September 2027.
- The heat is already disrupting daily life: tourists report staying in hotels until nightfall and outdoor workers describe exhaustion and extra breaks for hydration, while authorities warn older people face heightened health risk.
- Planners say the main risks include cascading failures across water, transport, waste and health services and unequal exposure by neighborhood and building type, and they note the city has recorded its warmest six‑month period in over a century.