Spain is leaving the drought behind after a very rainy spring and faces a warmer-than-usual summer.

  • Spring 2025 was the fifth wettest since 1961, with record rainfall especially in March.
  • Temperatures during spring have been generally normal, although with extreme episodes of both cold and heat.
  • The coming summer is likely to be warmer than usual, especially in the Mediterranean region and the archipelagos.
  • There is no clear trend in summer rainfall, so water management remains under constant surveillance.

Rainy spring and warm summer in Spain

The arrival of summer in Spain is marked this year by An exceptionally rainy spring has brought some respite from the drought that the country has been experiencing since the end of 2022. The intense rainfall, especially during the month of March, has managed to reach historic levels in many regions, allowing reservoirs to recover part of their capacity and generating a notable change in the national water situation.

According to data from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), spring 2025 is positioned as the fifth wettest since records began in 1961, and the third wettest of the current century. The season has left an average of 279 liters per square meter on the peninsula, which is 151% above the usual level and has helped Spain emerge from the long-term drought. The Balearic Islands also experienced a wet spring, and in the Canary Islands, rainfall has doubled the usual levels, with particularly wet areas on the most mountainous islands.

Rainfall records and geographical distribution

Rivers, reservoirs, and spring rains in Spain

The rain has fallen especially heavily in March, considered the third wettest month since 1961, only behind 2013 and 2018. Some stations have broken historical records: in Puerto de Navacerrada, nearly 952 liters per square meter, far exceeding previous figures, and 418 liters of rain accumulated in Madrid's Retiro Park, almost the amount of rain typically seen in that area in a full year. Other cities, such as Huelva, have also seen their rainfall figures soar, with 339 liters accumulated, tripling their previous maximum.

Overall, the Iberian Peninsula has been wet or very wet across almost the entire territory, with the exception of areas in northern Galicia, Castile and León, and certain areas in the northeast and eastern parts of the country, where rainfall has been within normal or below normal levels. The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands have been particularly wet.

Temperatures: between normal and extremes

Spanish landscape after spring rains

In spite of the popular perception of a fresh spring, the data show that the average temperature in mainland Spain has been around 12,7 °C, just three tenths above the average from the reference period (1991-2020). March was particularly cold, up to nine-tenths of a percentage point below normal, while April compensated with warmer-than-normal values. May, on the other hand, was generally within average, although midsummer values ​​were reached at the end of the month, with records set at several observatories.

In the Northwest, South and coastal areas, spring has been warm, reaching very warm in parts of Galicia and Castile and LeónThe Balearic Islands have been notable for higher than usual temperatures, while in the Canary Islands the situation varies from island to island. Among the temperature extremes recorded this year are: 40,7°C at the airports of Córdoba and SevilleAs well as -7°C in Puerto de Navacerrada.

A summer that points to more heat and little rain forecast

Landscapes after the rainy spring in Spain

The prospects for the summer, which climatologically began on June 1, point to temperatures above normal throughout the countryAccording to the AEMET (Mexico City Meteorological Agency), the probability of a warmer-than-usual summer exceeds 60% and reaches 70% in the Mediterranean region and the two archipelagos. Furthermore, there is a 50% to 70% chance that this summer quarter will be among the hottest summers in recent years.

With regards to summer rainfall forecastCurrent weather models do not show a clear trend. Summer in Spain is usually characterized by drought, except for a few intense storms, so responsible water management is essential. Prolonged hot spells, with heat waves and above-average temperatures for several weeks, especially in the south and east of the peninsula, cannot be ruled out. You can find more information on the hotter summers likely.

Climate context and evolution of recent springs

A warmer than normal summer is likely

Since the 90, Spain has been experiencing increasingly warmer springsThe last seven have been above or very close to the normal average, and the last coldest spring dates back to 2018. This trend confirms that, while precipitation shows great variability, Rising temperatures and hot summers are becoming the norm. In our country. In Andalusia, the data reflect a similar trend: spring 2025 was the third wettest in the historical record, and the average temperature, although considered "normal," is among the warmest in recent decades. The same pattern is repeated in other regions, where the positive temperature anomaly is evident, albeit with occasional episodes of exceptional cold and heat.

Impacts and recommendations for next summer

Spain after a rainy spring: reservoirs and fields

The expected increase in summer temperatures may have various effects, such as increased risk of forest fires, increased energy consumption due to the use of cooling systems, and pressure on water resources. Extreme heat can also affect public health, especially among the most vulnerable groups. For this reason, the AEMET recommends closely monitoring weather updates and paying attention to warnings for heat waves and extreme events.

Although the rains have allowed a partial recovery of the reservoirs and an improvement in the water supply, Caution remains key to avoiding a return to drought situationsEfficient and responsible management will be even more important if the summer ends up being especially hot and dry. To understand how to best manage resources in these conditions, you can read our article on The winds of Spain and their influence on the climate.

After a spring that will go down in history for its intense rains and its fundamental role in alleviating the drought, Spain is preparing for a summer where the heat will be the protagonist in most of the territory. Water monitoring, adapting to higher temperatures, and addressing heat-related risks are essential aspects for the coming months.

This is what summer 2025 will be like in Spain-0
Related article:
This is what summer 2025 will be like in Spain: forecast, temperatures, and possible phenomena

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