Catalonia records third summer with most tropical nights since 1998

The summer of 2024 in Catalonia recorded the third highest number of tropical nights - defined as nights with temperatures above 20°C - since 1998, according to data from Meteocat weather stations.

The only summers with more tropical nights were 2022 and 2023, which were exceptionally hot. 

In fact, the total number of tropical nights decreased from the previous year, from 5,000 in 2023 to just under 3,500 in 2024.

Although there were fewer tropical nights overall, they occurred in more places. Last summer, 59% of the weather stations in Catalonia recorded tropical nights, while this year 79% did. 

This summer was also the fifth with the most torrid nights, defined as when temperatures stay above 25°C all night.

Barcelona set the record for high nighttime temperatures. In the Raval neighborhood, temperatures stayed above 20°C for 75% of the nights, with 10 consecutive torrid nights in August. 

Other notable areas with high nighttime temperatures included Badalona, various locations in Terres de l'Ebre, Tarragona and Portbou.