This heat wave is historic by its precocity, its extent and its intensity. In some regions, the maximums will be more than 15°C above seasonal norms, in a context of generalized drought.
Spain begins this Tuesday the beginning of an extremely early heat wave. From Wednesday, it will be over 35°C in the southern half of the country, but Thursday and Friday will mark the peak of this episode since the 40°C mark could be reached in the Guadalquivir valley. , Andalusia.
If forecasts by meteorologists come true, it would be “something unheard of in our modern history”, he told The country Juan Jesús González Alemán, researcher at the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET).
Heatwave in April
According to the institute, this episode does not strictly speaking constitute a heat wave. Indeed, by definition, a heat wave only occurs in July or August. During summer, the AEMET sets three thresholds of duration, intensity and extent: “temperatures above 95% of the July and August maximums since 1971, recorded on at least 10% of the stations and for at least three days” must be recorded .
If we remove the criterion for July and August, the values forecast for the end of April correspond in all respects to the definition of a heat wave. The AEMET speaks of a “very hot, very intense and very unusual episode for the month of April”.
Records smashed
At the height of this generalized heat wave, the average temperature in the country will be between 6 and 10°C above seasonal norms. In addition, in certain regions of Andalusia or the Basque country, these figures will rise to 15 to 20°C higher. An unprecedented situation.
In addition to its precocity, this heat wave is indeed historic in its intensity. Many monthly records will be broken, and if records are usually broken by a few tenths, they will be broken here by far, like the 30.1°C in Madrid, the 34°C in Cordoba or the 35.4°C from Seville.
It is even the heat record for a European month of April, so far already held by Spain, which could be exceeded this week. On April 9, 2011, a mercury of 39°C was recorded in Orihuela, in the Alicante region. According to forecasts, a peak of 41°C is expected this Wednesday in Cordoba, thus pulverizing the previous record of 7°C.
“Tropical Nights”
“It would be the most intense heat wave of those recorded in April since there are data”, that is to say since 1961, warns AEMET spokesman Rubén del Campo on Twitter.
In addition, from Thursday, the heat wave will be amplified by temperatures which will drop very little during the night. In some regions and cities in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, the mercury will not drop below 20°C, which corresponds to the definition of “tropical nights”.
The AEMET is already warning of “exceptionally high temperatures” in the coming days, with the potential establishment of a heat wave orange alert, which would be a first in April.
Climate change in question
This historic episode also worsens the ongoing drought in Spain and threatens the country’s agriculture, which is experiencing a significant rainfall deficit and which had already suffered an abnormally high heat wave for the season in March.
Specialists point the finger at climate change. “This is not a one-time event, but more importantly we see that over the past few decades, hot episodes dominate cold episodes and they come earlier and earlier, are more frequent, last longer and are more intense”, declares toThe country Ruben del Campo.
As a result, the authorities are organizing themselves. In Madrid, for example, the regional government has announced an action plan including measures to allow schools to adapt their timetables according to the heat.
