Bizkaia braces for a scorching summer starting today as the first heatwave brings temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius to several areas. Experts suggest the possibility of surpassing Bilbao's record of 41.2 degrees, set on June 29, 1950. This intense heat is expected to persist until at least Wednesday, with nighttime temperatures remaining above 20 degrees.
The Directorate of Emergencies of the Basque Government has extended the orange alert for high temperatures until tomorrow. An 'anticyclonic ridge' will contribute to heat accumulation, particularly impacting the Cantabrian communities. Furthermore, Spanish capitals collectively might experience their highest average June temperature on record.
In Bilbao, temperatures are set to rise sharply from midday today, peaking in the early afternoon. Today's highs are predicted at 42 degrees, rising to 43 tomorrow and the day after, and potentially reaching 44 degrees on Wednesday. On Thursday, the mercury is expected to drop to 'only' 35 degrees. Locations such as Atxondo, Zalla, Durango, and Orozko could see highs of 43 degrees, 42 in Dima, and 41 in Gernika and Orduña.
Coastal areas will experience some relief from the sea breeze, though temperatures will still be high: 37 degrees in Muskiz and Sukarrieta, 36 in Bermeo and Getxo, and 33 in Lekeitio.
In addition to the usual precautions advised by experts—such as avoiding exposure during peak hours and staying hydrated—Bilbao will open 'climate shelters' and activate fountains, along with urban beach showers available since June 1. Approximately twenty scheduled events for today have also been canceled, including the commemorations for Bilbao's 726th anniversary.
At the end of May, Bizkaia already experienced an unusually high heat episode, reaching 39 degrees in Sodupe, although it was not officially classified as a 'heatwave' as it lasted less than three days.
Beyond increasing heat-related deaths, this extreme heat has reignited the debate on whether institutions should advance the bathing season and deploy lifeguards before June. The Diputación de Bizkaia has announced that from 2027 onwards, measures will be adapted to these increasingly frequent and extreme heat episodes driven by climate change.
Experts consider temperatures above 35 degrees to pose a health risk. Data from Aemet indicates that the number of days exceeding these records has doubled across Spain in the last 30 years, with a significant surge since 2020.
