Spain is experiencing a nighttime heat wave with tropical nights and occasional equatorial nights that offer no respite from rest. These nights, when the minimum temperature does not drop below 20°C, are becoming an increasingly common occurrence in many regions, especially during the most intense heat waves.
The situation is so striking that even in inland cities and coastal areas of the Mediterranean, the thermometer does not drop below 22-24 degree, and in places like Seville, Córdoba, Alicante or Madrid, minimum temperatures have been recorded that even touch or exceed the 25°CThis phenomenon not only affects comfort, but also poses significant health risks, especially in elderly people, chronic patients, children and those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular diseasesAccording to meteorological experts, nights as warm as these They hinder the body's recovery from the thermal stress accumulated during the day and turn the dream into a challenge.
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has launched Warnings and alerts for unusually high nighttime temperatures throughout the week in much of the country. Areas under orange alert are notable in Andalusia, especially Córdoba, Seville, Jaén and Badajoz, where the minimum temperatures at night remain between 24 and 25 degrees, while the daytime mercury exceeds the 40°CThe province of Alicante also lives tropical and even equatorial nights in municipalities such as Benidorm, Denia, Calpe or Elche.
An increasingly frequent and widespread phenomenon
The increase in tropical nights in Spain is no coincidence.Historical records in cities like Valencia show that, while they were rare 50 or 60 years ago, they have increased significantly in recent decades. The trend is that The current decade will far exceed previous records, and weather forecasts confirm that these episodes will persist for much of the summer.
The phenomenon It affects both large areas of the peninsula's interior and coastal regions and large cities., where the heat island effect aggravates the situation. The combination of warm air from North Africa and the haze It makes thermal reduction difficult, especially at night, keeping the values high even for several days.
In the Canary Islands, the temperature increase is also significant, with mild nights especially in the south of Gran Canaria. In the rest of the country, after days with temperatures well above 34-36 degree by day, the lack of nighttime refreshment It causes discomfort and health problems, since the body needs the ambient temperature to drop below 22°C for adequate rest.
Forecast by communities and areas most affected
Tropical nights extend across almost the entire peninsula, except for some areas in the north and along the coast where minimum temperatures are somewhat cooler. The alerts are concentrated in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, the Valencian Community, Extremadura, and the Region of Murcia, among others, with warnings of heat combined with storms, wind and in some cases heavy rain and haze.
For example, in the province of Alicante , coastal towns such as Benidorm or Denia will experience nights with temperatures that will not drop below 23-25 degree. In Córdoba and Seville They wait minimum temperatures above 24 degrees for several early mornings in a row, with similar records in cities in La Mancha and Extremadura.
The summer storms They also make an appearance, especially in the interior and east of the peninsula, accompanied by hail and strong gusts of wind, which increase the feeling of mugginess without providing significant relief at night.
Impact on rest and health
Nighttime heat has direct consequences on sleepThe human body needs to reduce its internal temperature to achieve a deep sleep phase, especially during the REM sleep phase, which is essential for mental and physical recovery. Nights with high minimum temperatures interrupt this process., causing frequent awakenings and poor quality sleep.
Among the most immediate effects, the following stand out: fatigue, irritability, and decreased mental capacity the next dayIn the medium to long term, experiencing many tropical nights can promote chronic insomnia, worsen cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic diseases, and increase heat stress, especially in the most sensitive groups.
Health and meteorological authorities They recommend keeping the home as cool as possible At night, avoid intense physical exercise in the hours before bedtime, and pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and those taking medication for cardiovascular or respiratory conditions.
