Catalunya experienced this Wednesday the hottest day of 2026, with temperatures close to 40 degrees in several parts of the territory and especially high readings in les Terres de l'Ebre and Pla de Lleida.
The most striking data came at the end of May. Vinebre, in the Ribera d'Ebre, reached 38.5 degrees at 2:56 PM and surpassed in a single day the annual record that the same town had set just 24 hours earlier with 36.6 degrees.
Vinebre broke in one day the annual record it had set on May 27
The day's maximum was recorded in Vinebre, where the thermometer reached 38.5 degrees. That value left behind the previous 2026 high, which was 36.6 degrees and had been recorded on May 27 in the same municipality.
Other points in the south and interior also stood out. Torroja del Priorat reached 37.8 degrees, while Seròs and Alcarràs reached 37.3 degrees in a heat episode that concentrated the most extreme readings in les Terres de l'Ebre and Pla de Lleida.
In the same strip were other towns with values above 37 degrees. Gimenells, Artés, Sant Salvador de Guardiola, Aldover, Ascó, and Torres de Segre exceeded that threshold during the day.
Several observatories equaled or surpassed their May highs
The episode was not limited to a single weather station. Several observatories equaled or surpassed their maximum readings for both the month of May and for all of 2026.
Tuesday had already given a clear warning of the thermal rise. Again, Vinebre marked the maximum with 36.6 degrees, followed by Torroja del Priorat with 35.8, while other towns ranged between 35 and 35.6 degrees.
Given these values, the recommendation is to take extreme precautions due to the risk of dehydration and heatstroke in an episode of high temperatures for late May.
The highest temperature on Wednesday was set in Vinebre with 38.5 degrees at 2:56 PM.