MADRID, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Spain's State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has confirmed that 2022-2024 marks the hottest three-year period ever recorded in the country.
Although 2024 was slightly cooler than the previous two years, it featured three major heatwaves, 31 new high-temperature records, and longer, more intense hot spells.
AEMET spokesman Ruben del Campo warned of worsening nighttime heat, noting a shift from "tropical nights" above 20 degrees centigrade to "torrid nights" above 25 degrees centigrade, with some nights approaching 30 degrees centigrade.
Sea temperatures also rose for the second consecutive year, contributing to extreme weather events-including the deadly Valencia storm in October, which killed 227 people and broke rainfall records.
Del Campo also stressed the growing impact of persistent heatwaves on public health and climate risk.
