You're probably wondering whether or not a change in the climate is actually occurring, which is somewhat logical, since the snowfall in Spain these past few days seems to indicate just the opposite.
However, it is very easy to confuse the terms weather and climate. They have a close relationship, but they are not the same: while the first refers to the specific values of a certain place, the second refers to these same data but in the long term.
Taking this into account, waves of cold and heat, floods, hurricanes and other phenomena that originate in the atmosphere are specific events that climate change does not prevent but does modify. As explained by the AEMET meteorologist Ernesto Rodríguez Camino to the portal Hipertextual, »When we have changes in the climate, observed and projected into the future, one of the things that is observed is that the extreme phenomena change. You can change the intensity, the frequency ... cold-type phenomena tend to be less in number and less intense. But that does not mean that they are suppressed and that when one appears, climate change is called into question.
Despite the fact that this cold wave that we are experiencing seems an exceptional event, it is not the first time it has happened nor will it be the last. In our most recent history, we highlight the following coldest waves in Spain:
- From December 13 to 29, 2001: with a duration of 17 days, the minimum temperature was -15ºC and affected 32 provinces.
- From February 8 to 15, 2012: with a duration of 7 days, the minimum temperature recorded was -20ºC. It affected 30 provinces.
These phenomena of low temperatures and snowfall are some of the best predictors, so the population can be warned early so they can take the necessary measures to avoid weather-related problems. It is also important to consider how the Climate change impacts different regions, as mentioned in the article about cities threatened by global warming. It is also crucial to understand how differences between climate change and global warming It is crucial to dimension these phenomena.
Furthermore, it is essential to analyze how these extreme weather phenomena, such as cold waves, occur in the context of a . If you are interested, you can consult the article on the alteration of climatic events, as it is deeply related to the concern about climate change and its effects.
Finally, we cannot forget that knowledge and foresight are essential to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Scientists warn about how Climate change also affects plants, revealing the interconnection between climate and other natural phenomena. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider how these events can affect ecosystems, as mentioned in the article on climate change and its effects on health.
