The rains have finally arrived on our peninsula, although unfortunately, they will be for a very short time. It hadn't rained for almost 50 days, and now, almost universally across Spain, it has rained again.
The ongoing periods of drought are decreasing the amount of stored water and, therefore, our country's water resources. Although rain will fall in the coming days, a return to stability is expected next week. anticyclonicWhy is it that Spain always has an anticyclone and such good weatherThe reason is because of the Azores anticyclone. Want to know more about it? Learn about it Azores anticyclone and its influence can be very interesting.
Azores anticyclone
When summer arrives and the amount of incident solar radiation is greater, an area of high pressure that forms an anticyclone swells. The anticyclone acts as a shield and does not allow the fronts to reach most of Spain, therefore, there will be no rain. The only area that is less protected is the north, so the fronts that cross central Europe can still sneak in, which is related to the end of the rain and the anticycloneThis explains why our summers see very little rain and many sunny days, and only in the north do we find more abundant rainfall. For more information on the differences between these phenomena, see the difference between an anticyclone and a depression.
In winter, this anticyclone becomes smaller and retreats to the south. This situation will allow the entry of fronts from the Atlantic and only some of the south and the Canary Islands will be protected. It will also allow free passage to the entry of cold winds from the north.
The fact that some springs or autumns are more or less rainy depends on the oscillations of the Azores anticyclone, which doesn't usually move smoothly, but rather bounces up and down slightly. When the bounce moves downwards, it allows fronts to enter the Iberian Peninsula, and when it moves upwards, it prevents fronts from approaching our peninsula, giving us days of sunshine and good weather. To explore more about the characteristics of this phenomenon, check out the characteristics and types of anticyclones.
The influence of the Azores anticyclone and climate change
The expansion of the Azores anticyclone is a fact. A study led by Caroline Ummenhofer and his collaborators from several American research centers have indicated that the expansion of the anticyclone is the cause of the anomalous drought conditions affecting the entire western Mediterranean, including the Iberian Peninsula.
This exhaustive analysis simulates a reconstruction of the anticyclone's evolution over the last 1.200 years. Research indicates that The expansion of the anticyclone is causing a decrease in winter rainfall in the region, especially on the Atlantic side, by diverting the typical path of winter storms northward. This has significant socioeconomic consequences in Spain because it affects economic activities in the primary sector, as well as water resources and probably wind energy. For more details on the context of these precipitations, see the article on the driest summers in recent years.
The authors of the study emphasize that the Climate change is pushing desert climate conditions northward, which will make the Iberian Peninsula increasingly similar to North Africa. The anticyclone is expected to continue expanding throughout the 21st century as the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere increases. This poses a greater risk of drought in our country.
Why is the anticyclone expanding?
Recent studies suggest that the Azores high has been growing in area as a result of increased anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. This phenomenon has been most evident over the past 100 years, where an increase in the frequency of extreme anticyclone events has been observed. According to the researchers, this This growth is worrying because it translates into a significant increase in droughts..
The research has also highlighted the importance of Hadley cell, which is an atmospheric circulation system that influences the position of the Azores high. As the cell moves northward, the high moves with it, resulting in drier conditions on the Iberian Peninsula. For more information on how the global climate affects the peninsula, see the article about the Azores high. climate in Portugal and the Mediterranean.
Impact on agriculture and the environment
The expansion of the Azores high is affecting agriculture, which is one of the most vulnerable in Europe. Olive-growing regions in southern Spain are expected to suffer a 30% decline in production by 2100. Wine-growing regions may also see their land areas reduced by between 25% and 99% by 2050 due to severe water shortages that make the land unsuitable for cultivation. Furthermore, the high is affecting the availability of water resources, as the Recurring droughts limit water supplies, which is essential for life on the peninsula. These conditions also affect other economic activities, such as the production of renewable wind energy, which depends heavily on climate variability and the presence of winds, such as the easterly and westerly winds. Consider how the time at christmas can also be influenced by these phenomena.
Future projections
Based on the studies conducted, the expansion trend of the Azores high is expected to continue throughout the 10st century. This implies a greater likelihood of droughts and, consequently, a decrease in winter rainfall. Projections indicate that we could observe a 20% to XNUMX% drop in winter rainfall, which could be devastating for agriculture and water supplies in the region. To better understand these patterns, we recommend reviewing the analysis on the driest summers in recent centuries.
Furthermore, rising global temperatures are expected to continue contributing to the expansion of the anticyclone. This phenomenon not only has local repercussions but also affects the climate of Western Europe as a whole, affecting rainfall in countries such as France, Italy, and Portugal.
The Azores high has become a crucial factor determining weather conditions on the Iberian Peninsula. With climate change and the expansion of this phenomenon, the possibility of severe and prolonged droughts is increasingly likely. The alert extends not only to agriculture and the environment, but also to the economic and social stability of the region.
The scientific community continues to investigate the relationship between the Azores high and climate change to more accurately predict its behavior and effects on the peninsula's climate. Citizens must be aware of these realities and adapt accordingly to mitigate the impact of these drastic changes on their lives.
