Just about three weeks after the first severe heatwave, Spain’s residents are once again moaning temperatures that are unusually high in July, even for the sunny country. The new heat wave peaks between Tuesday and Thursday with temperatures of up to 44 degrees. In 13 of a total of 17 of the so-called autonomous communities, the alert levels were yellow, orange and sometimes red on Tuesday.
The center and southwest of the holiday island of Mallorca were also affected, where up to 36 degrees in the shade was expected on Tuesday, according to the Aemet weather service.
42 degrees expected in Madrid
In the cities, people took refuge from the heat early in the morning in fountains, ice cream parlors and fully air-conditioned shopping malls. In Madrid, for example, the mercury column should rise to 39 degrees on Tuesday, 41 on Wednesday and even 42 degrees on Thursday.
Video: Heat wave makes Europe sweat
In the Tajo Valley southwest of the capital, 44 degrees was forecast for Thursday. According to Aemet, it should only remain relatively “cool” in the coming days with maximum temperatures between 25 and 35 degrees directly on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.
Heat waves are constantly increasing
This is due to man-made climate change. The absolute record was only measured last August in Montoro in Andalusia: 47.4 degrees. Reaching 50 degrees doesn’t seem unlikely. In Austria, up to 38 degrees is expected next week.
Combined with weeks of drought and strong winds, the heat favors the outbreak and spread of forest fires. The currently worst fire raged on Tuesday in the municipality of Las Hurdes in the west of the country, not far from the border with Portugal (see video above). About 400 people had to leave their homes on the orders of the authorities, threatened by the flames.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
