MADRID (AP) — Spain this year recorded its third hottest summer since official records began 62 years ago, authorities said Thursday, with temperatures peaking at 46.8 C (116 F) as the country's severe drought dragged on.
The average summer temperature was 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.34 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal, the Spanish weather agency AEMET said.
The World Meteorological Organization said last week that last month wasn't only the world’s hottest August scientists ever recorded by far.
Since 1961, mainland Spain’s average temperature has risen 1.6 degrees C (2.88 degrees F), according to AEMET.
Northeast Spain is enduring its most extreme drought since records began.
Persons:
AEMET
Organizations:
MADRID, —, World Meteorological Organization
Locations:
— Spain, Spanish, Spain