The country will be around historic figures for the date we are now in. A major heat wave is expected to threaten the entire country.
The Iberian Peninsula, but especially Spain, will experience some extremely hot days. An extreme heat that is getting earlier and earlier in terms of dates. Such is the magnitude of the prematurity of the heat that new records are expected to be set for the month of April.
We could be facing one of the most intense hot periods, if not the most, of those recorded in April since there are data
Rubén del Campo, spokesman for the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), warns.
Temperatures will start to rise progressively from today, Sunday, April 23rd. After a week where the temperatures were very comfortable with a very bearable heat combined with a cool air that balances the heat sensation, now comes the terror. Temperatures could go to over 40 degrees in southern areas of the country and even touch them in the most central areas of the peninsula. The situation is very worrying, the low rainfall and low reservoirs suggest that this could be a spoiler warning of what could happen in summer. After a past summer marked by water restrictions, with this news of premature heat, an even worse summer is predicted. Therefore, the municipalities are already working with their respective plans of limitations or management of water reserves in view of the 2023 summer campaign.
During the week Thursday will be the worst day, temperatures will reach their maximum in this heat wave. The most affected will be those in the north of Andalucia, which will practically reach a thermal sensation of more than 40 degrees. Galicia is not spared either, its temperatures will reach more than 30 degrees, something that rarely in April could be imagined. Consequently, the center of the peninsula will average 34 degrees. Finally, the Mediterranean area will have temperatures like those of the interior but something more passable because of its proximity to the sea, a fact that makes it more feasible to pass these tempertures.
The situation is so unusual that temperatures will start between 5 and 10 degrees higher than they should, a priori, be. However this is the lowest, that is to say, passing the week these scales will be rising to such an extent that in some places like the Basque Country, Andalusia or Albacete are between 15 and 20 degrees anomalies.
"This episode of summer temperatures in April cannot be explained without anthropogenic climate change, because it is not something punctual, but overwhelmingly we see how in recent decades the warm episodes dominate over the cold ones and each time they arrive earlier, are more frequent, last longer and are more intense,"
Explained Del Campo, spokesman for the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).
Spanish Government indications
- Drink plenty of water or liquids without waiting to be thirsty, unless there is a medical contraindication. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea or cola and very sugary drinks.
- On hot days stay in cool, shady places and if possible spend at least two hours in an air-conditioned place. Take a shower or a cool bath.
- Lower the blinds to avoid direct sunlight. Do not open windows when the outside temperature is higher. Avoid using machines and appliances that can produce heat during the hottest hours. From 35ºC inside the house, a fan only moves the air, it does not cool it. Use all the traditional measures within your reach.
- Eat light meals to help replenish salts lost through sweating (salads, fruit, vegetables, gazpacho or juices).
- Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest hours, especially if the activities are intense.
- If you have to stay outdoors, try to be in the shade, wear light and light-colored clothing, protect yourself from the sun, wear a hat. Wear cool, comfortable, breathable footwear.
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