Spain and other parts of southern Europe are grappling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to soar to unprecedented levels. In Spain, the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) predicts temperatures could reach up to 44°C in some regions, particularly in Andalusia. The heatwave is expected to peak on Friday, with at least 15 capital cities experiencing temperatures between 40°C and 44°C.The extreme weather is attributed to a high-pressure system originating from Algeria, which is bringing a mass of very warm and dry air to the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. This has prompted AEMET to issue orange alerts for several regions, including parts of Andalusia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Community of Madrid, Extremadura, and Navarra.The heatwave is not confined to Spain. Italy is also experiencing severe heat, with 17 cities placed under red alert due to temperatures expected to exceed 40°C. The Italian cities of Bologna, Florence, Palermo, and Rome are among those facing the highest risk.Health authorities across affected regions are advising the public to take necessary precautions, such as staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and wearing light-colored clothing. The heatwave is also expected to bring increased air pollution and dust from North Africa, potentially causing ‘calima’ (haze) in much of the southern and eastern parts of the Iberian Peninsula.Climate experts are linking these extreme weather events to climate change. According to a NASA study, if current climate change trends continue, certain regions of the Iberian Peninsula could become uninhabitable by 2050. This underscores the urgent need for global action to address climate change and its impacts.
Key points
- Spain and Italy are experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures expected to reach up to 44°C in some regions.
- The heatwave is attributed to a high-pressure system from Algeria, bringing warm and dry air to southern Europe.
- Climate experts link these extreme weather events to climate change, with potential long-term habitability concerns for certain regions.
- Health authorities are advising the public to take precautions against the extreme heat.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree on the peak temperature of 44°C, there are slight variations in the reported temperature ranges and affected areas across different articles.
