The frying pan, the hottest place in Spain

In the same way that Spain has an area popularly known as the triangle of ice, that being the coldest place in the country, there are also certain geographic areas in Spain that can become hot as an oven during the summer months. Keeping in mind that high temperatures vary every summer and many places have been recording record-breaking temperatures lately, some zones are always sweltering. Let us take a look at the hottest place in Spain.

Spain’s frying pan

While there are always exceptions and fluctuations with weather, it can be said that the Guadalquivir Valley is Spain’s 'frying pan'. During the months of June, July and August, this region of Andalucía reaches temperatures of 40 ºC (104 ºF) so often that it rarely warrants a health alert from local authorities. In any case, one must not forget to take precautions.

Owing to its geographical location, this valley is easily affected by the warm winds proceeding from the African continent. Moreover, the hillsides tend to concentrate the warm air currents, which give rise to consistently high temperatures. This sweltering heat can even begin as early as May, before the official summer season.

The town of Écija stands out in this valley for many reasons, but there is one that is beyond the control of its residents. Located along the banks of the Genil River and occasionally hitting temperatures of nearly 50ºC (122ºF), Écija can be called the hottest spot within the so-called 'frying pan' zone itself. Other nearby areas are not spared the effects of this suffocating heat. In the last few years, towns like Sanlúcar la Mayor, Osuna and even the city of Sevilla have also reached the ranks of scorching heat.

Additionally, one should not forget the province of Córdoba, which can even be considered the hottest region of them all. Places like Montoro have marked temperatures dangerously close to 50ºC (122ºF) during some summers. The same goes for places like Higuera de Arjona in the region of Jaén. Given all this, it seems evident that central Andalucía in the summertime is Spain’s blazing focal point.

Spain’s other hot spots

Meanwhile, regions like Extremadura, Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha also experience sultry summer heat spells. The provinces of Badajoz and Toledo quite often appear as burning infernos on the weather map.

The Ebro Valley in the north of the Iberian Peninsula can also reach elevated temperatures, especially when the warm airs get trapped. Temperatures over 40 ºC (104 ºF) have been recorded more often than commonly thought, though the cooling presence of the sea usually abates long periods of heat.

Undoubtedly, Spain’s hottest places, commonly called the frying pan, are found in central Andalucía, though other regions can certainly attest to similarly torrid conditions. For fresher airs in Spain, the best advice is to head to the north.

You can also read this article in Spanish here.

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