The summer of 2026 has solidified as the hottest ever recorded in Catalonia, with the Pallars regions enduring a persistent heatwave. According to data from the Meteorological Service of Catalonia (Meteocat), the average temperature between June and August has shown anomalies exceeding 3 ºC. In some areas of the western Pyrenees, temperatures have surpassed the reference climatic average (1991-2020) by more than 4 ºC.
In Pallars Jussà, the heat has been intense. In Sant Romà d’Abella, the thermometer reached or exceeded 40 ºC for 10 days, an exceptionally high figure comparable to western municipalities like Torres de Segre or Seròs. The meteorological station at La Bonaigua (2,266 m) recorded its absolute record with 26.2 ºC, highlighting the impact of warm air at high altitudes in the Pyrenees.
Nationally, Catalonia experienced 20 days with maximum temperatures above 40 ºC, surpassing the previous record of 16 days set last year. 88% of Meteocat stations recorded temperatures above 35 ºC. This period was marked by a widespread drought, only interrupted by occasional intense rainfall episodes in the south of the country.
The heat was not only persistent during the day but also affected the nights. Although the figures did not reach those of the coast or major cities like Barcelona (with 85 tropical nights and 54 torrid nights in El Raval), in Pallars the nocturnal heat was noticeable. La Pobla de Segur recorded 22 tropical nights, followed by Tremp with 9, Montsec d'Ares with 7, and Sort with 1.
