MADRID: Spain is experiencing its worst June heatwave in 20 years, with all but two of the country's 17 Autonomous Communities on high alert for dangerously high temperatures.

Parts of southern Spain, such as Andalusia and Extremadura, are experiencing temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius, with Cordoba reaching 43 degrees and Badajoz reaching 41 degrees, Xinhua reported.   The temperature in Madrid's capital hit well above 35 degrees, and the weather is forecast to stay that way until the weekend.

"At this time of year, such a severe heatwave is unusual," said Ruben del Campo, a spokesman for the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET). "This is the most intense heatwave in mid-June in the last 20 years," he said, with AEMET warning of an "extreme" risk of wildfires due to temperatures 7-12 degrees above normal for the time of year.

Teresa Ribera, Minister for Ecological Transition, stated following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the "early, record-breaking heatwave, coming on top of another heatwave less than a month ago is exceedingly disturbing."
Spain has seen some of the hottest temperatures since the turn of the century, as well as one of the driest winters on record, resulting in dangerously low reservoir levels.

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