Barcelona records hottest June in more than 100 years as blistering heat wave grips Europe
The Can Fabra Observatory, located on a hill overlooking Barcelona, reported an average temperature of 26 C, breaking records since 1914. The previous hottest average for June was 25.6 C in 2003.
The same weather station said that a single-day high of 37.9 C for June was recorded on Monday.
Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean in Spain's northeastern corner. But most of the country has been gripped by the first heat wave of the year.
Health warnings were in effect Tuesday in several European Union countries even as conditions began to improve in some parts of the region.
Punishing temperatures were forecast to reach 40 C in Paris and to stay unusually high in Belgium and the Netherlands. In contrast, temperatures were falling in Portugal, where no red heat warnings were issued.
Spain saw a new high mark for June established on Saturday when 46 C was recorded in the southern province of Huelva, while Sunday's national average of 28 C set a record for a high temperature for June 29 since records were started in 1950.
"We are seeing these temperatures because we are experiencing a very intense heat wave that has come early in the summer and that is clearly linked to global warming," Ramón Pascual, the regional delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
WATCH | Tourists look for shade as parts of Europe grapple with heat wave:
Europe sweltering under early summer heat dome
23 hours ago
Duration 4:01
Major cities and tourist destinations across Europe are recording unusually high temperatures as June draws to a close. In southern Europe, the hot, dry weather created conditions for wildfires.
In France, the national weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert, with the Paris region particularly hard hit.
The heat wave, defined as consecutive days of very high temperature, is expected to intensify Tuesday with more than 1,300 schools set to be partially or fully closed, the Education Ministry said.
Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit of the city's landmark was closed until Thursday.
Météo-France also warned of the heightened risk of wildfires due to the drought-stricken soil, compounded by a lack of rain in June and the recent surge in temperature.
Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date.
By 2100, France could be up to 4 C warmer, with temperatures exceeding 40 C expected every year and extreme heat spikes potentially reaching 50 C. According to Météo-France, the country may face a tenfold increase in the number of heat wave days by 2100.
Farther south, 17 of Italy's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave, according to the Health Ministry.
There were torrential rains in Italy's north on Monday and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus River burst its banks. Near Bologna, one of the cities under a heat alert Tuesday, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported.
An autopsy was being conducted to determine the cause, but heat was suspected. The CGIL labour union said the death of the man, whom it identified as Ait El Hajjam Brahim, owner of Veneto Pavimenti SAS, showed the need for improved measures to protect construction workers from heat exposure.
An annual event in Amsterdam to commemorate the end of slavery in former Dutch colonies was moved forward to avoid the hottest part of the day and in the northern city of Groningen, organizers of an outdoor concert featuring veteran rocker Neil Young also took measures, including adding extra drinking water taps and providing free sunblock.
The national weather institute issued an alert for extreme temperatures and smog in parts of the country and warned the eastern Netherlands that severe thunderstorms could break out on Wednesday as the hot weather ends.
In Portugal, Lisbon was forecast to reach 33 C, typical for this time of the year, though some inland areas could still see peaks of 43 C, according to the national weather agency. June temperature records were broken in two locations in Portugal on June 29.
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CBC
6 days ago
- CBC
Barcelona records hottest June in more than 100 years as blistering heat wave grips Europe
Barcelona recorded its hottest month of June since records started more than a century ago, Spain's national weather service said on Tuesday as Europe remained in the grip of the first major heat wave this summer. The Can Fabra Observatory, located on a hill overlooking Barcelona, reported an average temperature of 26 C, breaking records since 1914. The previous hottest average for June was 25.6 C in 2003. The same weather station said that a single-day high of 37.9 C for June was recorded on Monday. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean in Spain's northeastern corner. But most of the country has been gripped by the first heat wave of the year. Health warnings were in effect Tuesday in several European Union countries even as conditions began to improve in some parts of the region. Punishing temperatures were forecast to reach 40 C in Paris and to stay unusually high in Belgium and the Netherlands. In contrast, temperatures were falling in Portugal, where no red heat warnings were issued. Spain saw a new high mark for June established on Saturday when 46 C was recorded in the southern province of Huelva, while Sunday's national average of 28 C set a record for a high temperature for June 29 since records were started in 1950. "We are seeing these temperatures because we are experiencing a very intense heat wave that has come early in the summer and that is clearly linked to global warming," Ramón Pascual, the regional delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. WATCH | Tourists look for shade as parts of Europe grapple with heat wave: Europe sweltering under early summer heat dome 23 hours ago Duration 4:01 Major cities and tourist destinations across Europe are recording unusually high temperatures as June draws to a close. In southern Europe, the hot, dry weather created conditions for wildfires. In France, the national weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert, with the Paris region particularly hard hit. The heat wave, defined as consecutive days of very high temperature, is expected to intensify Tuesday with more than 1,300 schools set to be partially or fully closed, the Education Ministry said. Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit of the city's landmark was closed until Thursday. Météo-France also warned of the heightened risk of wildfires due to the drought-stricken soil, compounded by a lack of rain in June and the recent surge in temperature. Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date. By 2100, France could be up to 4 C warmer, with temperatures exceeding 40 C expected every year and extreme heat spikes potentially reaching 50 C. According to Météo-France, the country may face a tenfold increase in the number of heat wave days by 2100. Farther south, 17 of Italy's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave, according to the Health Ministry. There were torrential rains in Italy's north on Monday and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus River burst its banks. Near Bologna, one of the cities under a heat alert Tuesday, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted to determine the cause, but heat was suspected. The CGIL labour union said the death of the man, whom it identified as Ait El Hajjam Brahim, owner of Veneto Pavimenti SAS, showed the need for improved measures to protect construction workers from heat exposure. An annual event in Amsterdam to commemorate the end of slavery in former Dutch colonies was moved forward to avoid the hottest part of the day and in the northern city of Groningen, organizers of an outdoor concert featuring veteran rocker Neil Young also took measures, including adding extra drinking water taps and providing free sunblock. The national weather institute issued an alert for extreme temperatures and smog in parts of the country and warned the eastern Netherlands that severe thunderstorms could break out on Wednesday as the hot weather ends. In Portugal, Lisbon was forecast to reach 33 C, typical for this time of the year, though some inland areas could still see peaks of 43 C, according to the national weather agency. June temperature records were broken in two locations in Portugal on June 29.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Barcelona records the hottest June in over 100 years as a heat wave grips Europe
Young swimmers jump into the water from a rock on a breakwater on a hot day in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) PARIS — Barcelona recorded its hottest month of June since records started over a century ago, Spain's national weather service said on Tuesday as Europe remained in the grip of the first major heat wave this summer. The Fabra Observatory, located on a hill overlooking Barcelona, reported an average temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit), breaking records since 1914. The previous hottest average for June was 25.6 C in 2003. The same weather station said that a single-day high of 37.9 C (100 F) for June was recorded Monday, June 30. Barcelona is usually spared the worst heat in Spain, thanks to its location between hills and the Mediterranean in Spain's northeastern corner. But most of the country has been gripped by the first heat wave of the year. Health warnings were in effect Tuesday in several European Union countries even as conditions began to improve in some parts of the region. Punishing temperatures were forecast to reach 40 C (104 F) in Paris and to stay unusually high in Belgium and the Netherlands. In contrast, temperatures were falling in Portugal, where no red heat warnings were issued. Spain saw a new high mark for June established on Saturday when 46 C (114F) was recorded in the southern province of Huelva, while Sunday's national average of 28 C (82F) set a record for a high temperature for June 29 since records were started in 1950. 'We are seeing these temperatures because we are experiencing a very intense heat wave that has come early in the summer and that is clearly linked to global warming,' Ramón Pascual, the regional delegate for Spain's weather service in Barcelona, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. France suffocates In France, the national weather agency Météo-France placed several departments under the highest red alert, with the Paris region particularly hard hit. The heat wave, defined as consecutive days of very high temperature, is expected to intensify Tuesday with more than 1,300 schools set to be partially or fully closed, the Education Ministry said. Visitors to the Eiffel Tower without tickets were told to postpone their visits as the summit of the city's landmark was closed until Thursday. Météo-France also warned of the heightened risk of wildfires due to the drought-stricken soil, compounded by a lack of rain in June and the recent surge in temperature. Climate experts warn that future summers are likely to be hotter than any recorded to date. By 2100, France could be up to 4 C (39 F) warmer, with temperatures exceeding 40 C expected every year and extreme heat spikes potentially reaching 50 C (122 F). According to Météo-France, the country may face a tenfold increase in the number of heat wave days by 2100. Man dies in Italy Farther south, 17 of Italy's 27 major cities were experiencing a heat wave, according to the Health Ministry. There were torrential rains in Italy's north on Monday and parts of Bardonecchia near Turin were covered in sludge after the Frejus river burst its banks. Near Bologna, one of the cities under a heat alert Tuesday, the 46-year-old owner of a construction company collapsed and died while repaving a school parking lot, state-run RAI reported. An autopsy was being conducted to determine the cause, but heat was suspected. The CGIL labor union said the death of the man, whom it identified as Ait El Hajjam Brahim, owner of Veneto Pavimenti SAS, showed the need for improved measures to protect construction workers from heat exposure. The Netherlands sweating An annual event in Amsterdam to commemorate the end of slavery in former Dutch colonies was moved forward to avoid the hottest part of the day and in the northern city of Groningen, organizers of an outdoor concert featuring veteran rocker Neil Young also took measures, including adding extra drinking water taps and providing free sunblock. The national weather institute issued an alert for extreme temperatures and smog in parts of the country and warned the eastern Netherlands that severe thunderstorms could break out on Wednesday as the hot weather ends. Portugal improving In Portugal, Lisbon was forecast to reach 33 C (91 F), typical for this time of the year, though some inland areas could still see peaks of 43 C (109 F), according to the national weather agency. June temperature records were broken in two locations in Portugal on June 29. The Portuguese weather service issued a statement Monday night confirming the highest single temperature ever recorded in mainland Portugal for the month of June at 46.6 C on June 29 in the town of Mora, west of Lisbon. The prior record was 44.9 C in 2017. Wilson reported from Barcelona. Jill Lawless in London, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, Mike Corder in The Netherlands and David Biller in Rome contributed to this report. Samuel Petrequin And Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press
CTV News
29-06-2025
- CTV News
The Spanish town where locals soak each other with wine
A reveller is covered in wine as people take part in a wine battle, in the small village of Haro, northern Spain, Saturday, June 29, 2019. Hundreds of revelers participate in this famous summer battle throwing thousands of liters of red wine over each other. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) A glass of Burgundy sipped during dinner. A chilled Chardonnay while the sun goes down. A sparkling Champagne at a wedding. Typically, a glass of wine is something savoured. Except in one quiet town in Northern Spain, where it's used for ammunition. Every June 29, hundreds of locals gather in Haro for a festival to celebrate the wine for which the surrounding La Rioja region is famous, culminating in La Batalla del Vino — the Battle of Wine. What once began as a religious procession to the nearby Hermitage of San Felices, a historic hilltop place of worship, has now evolved into an annual vibrant cultural celebration where thousands of participants drench each other with red wine using water guns, buckets and bottles. The chaotic and frenetic event can draw crowds of tourists eager to soak up the atmosphere. But, despite the huge quantities of wine launched through the air, local officials are now worried about visitors turning up to soak up too much booze. 'We must not transform this into just another drinking event,' José Luis Pérez Pastor, La Rioja's minister of culture, tourism, sports and youth, told CNN. Events start at 7:30 a.m., when Haro's mayor and members of the San Felices Brotherhood gather and lead pilgrims to the Bilibio Cliffs, on which is perched the Hermitage. After a Mass is held at the Hermitage, a rocket marks the start of the wine battle. Participants dressed completely in white with red handkerchiefs then proceed to soak one another until their clothes turn deep purple. 'Wine baptisms' Though often portrayed as a light-hearted spectacle, the festival is rooted in deep tradition, religious history and local folklore. It is said to have begun in the sixth century, when pilgrimages in honor of Haro's patron saint, San Felice, were made to the caves where he was buried. Over time, these turned into lively celebrations featuring 'wine baptisms,' which eventually became the wine fights known today. Another origin tale involves a 12th-century land dispute between Haro and the neighbouring town of Miranda De Ebro, which saw locals from both towns complete a boundary walk to ensure property lines between them were properly maintained. This was said to have lasted over 400 years until it was disregarded and both sides started throwing wine at each other. Rules of the event are outlined on the Batalla del Vino website. The goal of the festival is to stain your neighbor with wine, leaving them darker than the Pendón de Haro, a banner associated with the town of Haro. Gigantic wine tankers, each containing up to 15,000 litres (3,300 gallons) of wine, are provided by the town hall for attendees to fill their approved weapons. In total, up to 50,000 litres (11,000 gallons) can be thrown each year. While this might seem like a criminal waste of good wine, the vino used in the battle isn't suitable for bottling, as it is not of high commercial value. Much of it is leftover or low-quality product. Afterward, the wine that flows down the mountainside is absorbed back into the soil or washed away by the rain, officials said. At midday, after the battle has been raging for several hours, everyone heads back to Plaza de la Paz, in the center of Haro, where locals parade through the streets accompanied by brass bands before — because this is Spain — they head to an arena for bullfighting and other events. Participants also typically eat a traditional popular local dish of caracoles, or snails, cooked in a tomato and pepper stew at some point during the day. 'Surreal, joyful' In recent years, the event has gained visibility and now attracts visitors from across the world, thanks to viral social media posts and growing tourism. Jessica and Eric Smith, American expats living in La Rioja who document rural Spanish life to more than 100,000 followers on Instagram, say they came across the event while working with a rural housing association. 'The wine battle itself is only three hours,' Eric says. 'It's just a fun experience. You show up and there's thousands of other people.' To reach the hilltop where the festivities take place, participants are transported part of the way by buses, with seats covered in plastic, a precaution taken to prevent damage from the wine on the return journey. 'The best part is you hop on this bus and you're heading towards the wine battle, but then they stop and let you off in the vineyards. You then have to walk up the hill for about 10 to 15 minutes to get to the wine battle,' said Eric. That's when things get wild. 'As you enter, these older Spanish men, who've clearly been doing the wine battle for years, are standing there with backpack sprayers full of wine,' Jessica said. 'You walk in and you're just being sprayed. And then a random kid comes out of nowhere and dumps a bucket of wine over your head.' 'At any point in time, people can dump wine on you,' Eric added. 'The atmosphere of the wine battle is just so much fun… you don't necessarily know what to expect.' Jess said the atmosphere gave her an instant sense of belonging. 'I felt like I was adopted for the day,' she added. 'It's literally just every piece that we love about Spanish culture, and I feel like you get a glimpse into it when you go to this event.' 'We first went to Haro for La Batalla in 2007 and have been going back every year since,' says Toby Paramor, managing director of Stoke Travel, a UK tour company that organizes trips to the festival. 'It was the most surreal, joyful, authentic little discovery.' While Paramor says his company's beer and wine-inclusive package trips are also aimed at giving travelers a deeper experience of La Rioja, festival organizers are worried about its popularity and the preservation of its cultural roots. José Luis Pérez Pastor, the local culture and tourism minister, says the festival began 'with faith and friendship' and he is adamant it must not turn into just another party. 'This is the only way to have a truly transforming experience — with respect and authenticity,' he said. 'It's not just about drinking. Attending the Mass is an important cultural moment, even if not in a religious sense. It reflects centuries of tradition.'
