September 2026 was the warmest September in Spain since the beginning of the historical series of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), in 1961, according to the monthly climate summary published this Friday. The average temperature reached 22.5 ºC, that is, 3.4 ºC above the normal value and 0.7 ºC more than the previous record, set in September 1987.
For the first time, the average for a month of September was even above the normal summer average, which stood at 22.1 ºC. The extremely warm character extended throughout almost the entire country, although the very warm character predominated in areas of the peninsular northwest.
Heat waves and warm episodes during the month
Throughout the month, several episodes of high temperatures were recorded, some of them considered heat waves. According to AEMET, there was a heat wave in the Peninsula and Balearic Islands between September 2 and 7, followed by two other warm episodes that did not reach that category, although they were characterized by very high daytime maximums.
In the Canary Islands, three heat waves were recorded, all of short duration: the first, between the 7th and 9th; the second, between the 14th and 16th, when on the 15th the highest average temperature of the month was reached, with an anomaly of around +6.5 ºC compared to usual; and the third, between the 24th and 27th.
Very high maximums in Andalusia and outstanding records
Among the main stations, the highest maximums of the month were recorded on the 3rd in Morón de la Frontera, with 44.4 ºC; in Seville/Airport, with 44 ºC; and in Córdoba/Airport, with 43.5 ºC. A day later, on September 4, Granada/Airport reached 42 ºC.
During the month, a total of 17 stations of the main AEMET network recorded their highest maximum temperature for September since the beginning of their respective series.
Low minimums and thermal contrast
As for the minimums, the lowest values of the month occurred on the 10th in Molina de Aragón, with 2.2 ºC, and in the Puerto de Navacerrada, with 3.9 ºC. The State Meteorological Agency also highlighted the 4.9 ºC recorded in Teruel on the 11th and the 5.4 ºC in Valladolid/Airport on the 10th.
In addition, 18 stations of the main network marked their highest minimum for September since the beginning of their series, which reinforces the exceptionally warm character of the month in large areas of the country.
A very dry month, with rainfall below normal
In terms of precipitation, September 2026 was very dry, it was the seventh driest September in the series since 1961 and the third driest of the 21st century. In peninsular Spain, 15.9 l/m² accumulated, 36% of the normal value for the month.
In general terms, rainfall was scarce, although there were intense episodes. Valencia/Airport accumulated 71.9 l/m² on the 16th, while on the 29th, 67.4 l/m² were recorded in Barcelona/Airport and 53.3 l/m² in Girona/Airport.
In the monthly balance, the highest precipitation values were observed in Barcelona/Airport, with 158.9 l/m²; Valencia/Airport, with 107.8 l/m²; and Palma de Mallorca/Airport, with 92.8 l/m².