The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has confirmed that the average temperature for April 2026 was more than 3°C above normal, marking a significant deviation from historical averages. Temperatures remained consistently above seasonal norms throughout most of the month, with only a brief cooler spell recorded between April 11 and 13.

Six individual days in April (the 10th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd) each set new records as the warmest ever for those specific dates across Spain since at least 1950. This clustering of record-breaking days highlights that the heat is not occurring in short bursts but is lasting over longer periods, pointing instead to a sustained pattern of elevated temperatures across the country.

This trend has made the opening stretch of the year the third warmest on record, behind only 1997 and 2024. In total, twelve record-breaking hot days have already been registered in 2026, a figure that sharply exceeds expectations in a stable climate, where only around five record hot days would typically be expected across an entire year.

The Canary Islands continued their record-breaking streak from previous years, with the eastern islands reaching a monthly average of 20.4°C. Northern Spain also saw unusual heat, with typically cooler coastal cities like Gijón recording early month peaks exceeding 28°C, exceptionally high for the Cantabrian coast in early spring. In Seville, a brutal mid-month spike saw temperatures climb between 34°C and 36°C during the Feria de Abril, intensifying already warm conditions.

Experts suggest this acceleration in extreme temperature events points to broader shifts in climate behavior. The data reinforces concerns that spring, traditionally a transitional season, is increasingly resembling early summer in parts of Spain. Authorities are expected to assess the potential implications for water resources, agriculture, and public health as the year progresses.