Spain is currently experiencing a prolonged period of dry weather that has persisted for several weeks. While there have been some isolated cases of light rain, many regions have not received significant rainfall since January. Many are curious as to why this happens and if it has happened in the past. Let us examine the available data to shed light on why does not it rain.
In this article we are going to tell you what are the main reasons why it does not rain.
Why doesn't it rain in Spain
The cause of the lack of rain in Spain can be attributed to the appearance of anticyclones and ridges. The The reason for the prolonged drought in Spain is meteorologically simple: stability. The prevailing weather patterns throughout the months of this year have been characterized by the prevalence of anticyclones on the surface, or crests at altitude and, on certain occasions, both at the same time.
Anticyclones appear as regions of increased atmospheric pressure, which causes air to sink and create a mass of dry air. Due to this environment, clouds and precipitation are unlikely to form. During winter, anticyclones are usually associated with lower temperatures and stable weather conditions, especially at night.
Ridges are formations located in the upper layers of the atmosphere, where the air is stable and are characterized by sinking movements, which causes air to descend to lower altitudes. Ridges are generally associated with milder and more stable weather conditions, as the air they carry is warmer and warms further due to subsidence.
Unlike the weather systems that cause rainfall in most of Spain, the two predominant weather patterns have opposite effects. These are the open winds and storms of the Atlantic. As there have been no significant cases of open weather since December 2022, rainfall has been low across much of the country.
Fixed pattern all year round
Throughout the year 2023, there has been a lasting sense of stability that has persisted from the beginning. Weather patterns have been strongly influenced by anticyclones and ridges throughout the peninsula and the Balearic Islands. January and February experienced typical or slightly lower than usual temperatures, while March brought unusually high levels of heat. Dry weather conditions prevailed throughout the country during the first three months.
The data reveals a notable lack of rain during the period between January 1 and April 9. For example, in Seville, the airport only collected just over 25 mm of rain until April 9, while The standard accumulation rate according to records from the years 1991 to 2020 should have been almost 175 mm.
Can we call it an unusual trend? While having stability for several consecutive months is not widespread, it is not entirely unprecedented. The Iberian Peninsula, due to its geographical location, is an area where atmospheric patterns are frequently influenced by stability.
Throughout history, events of this nature have been observed on numerous occasions. Is the lack of rain a rare occurrence? Although the reason for the drought is well documented, the question arises as to whether this has happened in the past. The answer lies in historical records, which indicate that we have experienced similar periods of drought before.
To examine this phenomenon, the cumulative amount of daily rainfall from January 1 to April 9 has been calculated for both the year 2023 and historical data at multiple stations. Through this analysis, it has been discovered that in recent years have experienced similar or even drier conditions in the initial stages, reinforcing the findings for 2023.
An example of this phenomenon can be observed in Albacete, whose air base has been operating since 1939. From January 1 to April 9, 2023, a record drought has occurred, also surpassing the previous driest year of 1995, as well as 1953 and 2000. , which are now further into the past. This trend appears to be replicated in other large regions, where 2023 is frequently among the five driest years on record. Seville, Huelva and Alicante are three additional places where the first part of 2023 It is among the 3 driest periods in recorded history.
What happens if it doesn't rain?
When there is not enough rain, it can have detrimental consequences for a wide range of sectors. These include the natural world, agriculture, financial structures and the general population. Several of the most frequently observed impacts include:
- Long periods without precipitation can cause droughts, which have far-reaching consequences. Crop yields are affected, as are livestock feed supplies and water quality. Even the tourism industry can be affected by these conditions.
- Water scarcity can wreak havoc on communities, causing water shortages due to the depletion of rivers, lakes and aquifers. Such a decline has far-reaching consequences and negatively impacts the lives of people who depend on these water sources.
- El forest fire risk may increase when soils and vegetation dry out due to lack of water.
- The absence of rain has a direct effect on air quality, causing an increase in the concentration of pollutants such as dust, pollen and other harmful particles. This, in turn, can have adverse effects on human health, especially in people who suffer from respiratory problems or allergies.
- The decline in biodiversity has a profound impact on delicate ecosystems, especially those that They live in lush forests, humid jungles and other similar areas. As water levels decrease, the survival of certain species is endangered and the ecological balance is altered.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about why it doesn't rain in Spain and what repercussions it has.