Summer has come in with force, and it seems that for now it will continue like this. This second heat wave has put 27 provinces on alert, to the point that temperatures of up to 44 degrees could be recorded in many parts of the southern half of the peninsula, especially in Andalusia.
What causes it? As detailed in the report of the AEMET, It is the result of an air mass that comes from North Africa, which added to the insolation typical of summer and the clear sky, makes the temperatures only rise.
The southern half of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands will be the most affected areas. The State Meteorological Agency has activated the red notice for today Wednesday in Cordoba and Jaén due to temperatures that will rise to 44 degrees in parts of the Cordoba countryside and the Guadalquivir Valley. In the provinces of Granada, Huelva, Seville, Albacete, Ciudad Real, Valencia, Badajoz and Murcia, the orange alert (significant risk) has been activated due to temperatures that could reach 41 degrees. This is a phenomenon that is replicated in the heat waves in Spain.
In Cádiz, Málaga, Huesca, Teruel, Zaragoza, Cuenca, Guadalajara, Toledo, Ávila, Salamanca, Lleida, Tarragona, Madrid, Alicante, Cáceres and the Balearic Islands have a yellow alert for values that will oscillate between 36 and 39 degrees.
If we talk about minimums, the nights will be hot, 25 degrees in Jaén and Almería, and between 20 and 22 degrees in Alicante, Albacete, Valencia, Barcelona, Cádiz, Castellón, Huelva, Malaga, Murcia, Seville, Toledo, Zaragoza and Ciudad Real.
Moreover, in the northern half of the peninsula the heat wave will not arrive. In A Coruña, Bilbao, Oviedo, Santander, Vitoria and San Sebastián, the maximum temperature will not exceed 22 degrees.
On Saturday, temperatures will begin to drop in the southern half of the peninsula, although in general will remain significantly high in interior areas.
In this situation it is important to take all the necessary measures to avoid skin burns since the ultraviolet index, which are the rays that cause damage, during these days in the affected areas is high, from 8 to 11 (out of a scale of 1 to 11).
A Summer of Heat Waves
During the summer of 2023, Spain experienced four heat waves According to AEMET records, the first two lasted from July 9 to 12 and July 17 to 20, affecting 14 and 20 provinces, respectively. The next two, which lasted from August 6 to 13 (affecting 19 provinces) and August 18 to 25 (affecting 35 provinces), were the longest and most intense, with maximum temperatures above 40,0°C across much of the country, reaching 45,0°C in some parts of the province of Valencia and Andalusia on August 10 and 11. At Valencia Airport, a maximum temperature of 10°C was recorded on the 46,8th, the highest recorded this summer in Spain and breaking the station's record by more than 3°C.
According to currently available data, there were a total of 24 heatwave days across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, marking the fourth summer with the highest number of such days, after 2022, 2015, and 2017.
The Canary Islands also experienced extreme events., where two heat waves were recorded in August: the first between the 10th and 14th, when temperatures exceeded 40,0°C on all islands, and the second, of lesser intensity, between the 20th and 24th of August.
The main stations showed a wide range of temperatures, with the average maximum and minimum temperatures being notably high. At 23 main stations, the average summer temperature was the highest in the respective historical series. At 15, the average maximum was also the highest on record, while at 29, the average minimum exceeded the previous highest value in the series.
Impact on Mortality and Health
The rise in extreme temperatures in Spain has had a significant impact on public health. According to a study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Heat caused more than 47.000 deaths in Europe in 2023, with Spain being one of the most affected countries with approximately 8.352 deathsOlder adults are the most vulnerable, especially those over 80, who have an eight-fold higher risk of heat-related mortality compared to those between 65 and 79. Furthermore, the mortality rate is 55% higher in women than in men.
The main causes of heat-related hospitalization include metabolic disorders, urinary tract infections, and kidney failure. These conditions mostly affect older people, and the study concludes that deaths are due to an accumulation of days of heat exposure, rather than single episodes. This emphasizes the need for information on the impact of heat waves.
Preventive Measures and Adaptation
As extreme temperatures have become more common, society has had to implement various measures to mitigate the impact of heat. Since 2003, after an intense heat waveImproved sanitary procedures and warning systems have been adopted to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially the elderly living alone. Air conditioning installations in homes and workplaces have increased, although this also contributes to global warming due to CO2 emissions. If you're interested in how heat affects other aspects of life, you can read about how heat affects animals.
Beyond these adaptations, urban planning has been improved to include green spaces that help limit the effects of high temperatures. However, despite these improvements, the figures remain alarming, and more effective action is needed to address the increase in heat-related deaths.
Future Projections and Climate Change
The AEMET report indicates that Heat waves in Spain are continuing increasingly, affecting a larger area of land and reaching higher temperatures. In terms of projections, heat waves are estimated to be increasing in duration, intensity, and frequency. If you'd like to delve deeper into the broader projections, you can read about climate change and its impact.
The average temperature in Spain has increased by approximately 1,5°C since 1961, and the ten warmest years on record have all occurred in the XNUMXst century. Given this trend, extreme heat events are likely to intensify, both in frequency and magnitude, especially if adequate measures are not taken to mitigate climate change.
The Importance of Public Awareness
Raising awareness about the risks of extreme heat is vital. During the summer months, it is crucial for people to take appropriate precautions to protect their health. This includes staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours, and seeking shelter in cool spaces. Awareness campaigns should be ongoing and aimed at educating the population on how to adapt to new climatic conditions resulting from climate change.
The Future of the Climate in Spain
As we continue to face these climate challenges, it will be essential to develop effective policies that not only address rising temperatures but also protect vulnerable populations. The approach must be multidisciplinary, addressing not only the climate but also the social, economic, and public health aspects affected by extreme heat.
