🇪🇸 Extreme Heat Blamed for More Than 2,100 Deaths in Spain in August

[DLJBSP]

🇪🇸 Spain — Extreme summer heat is now blamed for an estimated 2,149 deaths in August alone, making it the second-deadliest August since Spain began keeping these records in 2015. Even more sobering, an estimated 5,234 people died from heat-related causes between May 15 and August 31—the highest summer toll recorded by the monitoring system. Nearly all of those who died in August were over 65, including 1,285 people over 85. And summer may be ending, but the heat is not: temperatures across much of inland Spain are expected to climb above 95°F (35°C) again later this week. Google

 

[Ludwika]

We're certainly living in critical times. 

[Dolce vita]

Climate skeptics will no doubt appreciate.

 

France: Approximately 7,300 excess deaths (preliminary figures).

 

According to Santé publique France (data as of mid-August 2026):

 

May (May 24–28): ≈ 300

June 17–July 2: 5,764

July 3–22: 1,243

 

The figures for August have not yet been released. Additionally, we are expecting temperatures of 40° in some regions again this week.

 

By way of comparison, in 2003:

 

According to estimates by Inserm (the Hémon-Jougla report) and InVS: Cumulative excess mortality of approximately 14,800 to 15,000 deaths between August 1 and 20, 2003. A mass death toll that shocked the entire country—and still, there is no widespread air conditioning.

 

The intense heat wave lasted mainly from August 4 to August 13–15, with a peak in mortality around August 12 (more than 2,000 excess deaths on that day).

 

 

But one day Jesus will say, “Be quiet, heat wave!”

 It shouldn’t be much longer now.

 

 

[ChrisW]

Interesting information regarding daily records in the US according to the CDC.https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/Applications/heatTracker/ But I read an article that the CDC may not fully report the exact number. https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/cdc.html#:~:text=Each year%2C hot weather results,cause in the death certificate.

 

I am ready for cooler temps. One day soon. 🙂

[franceml]

https://www.isglobal.org/-/62.700-muertes-asociadas-con-el-calor-del-verano-de-2024

 

[DLJBSP]

In the United States, not every death in which heat played a role is reported as a heat-related death. Heat often worsens existing conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, or respiratory illness, but unless medical evidence supports listing heat as a contributing factor on the death certificate, it may not be counted as heat-related. As a result, official totals are generally considered an underestimate of heat's true impact.

The CDC only accounts for an average of 800 deaths a year in the United States.