Sizzling Spanish Spring: May Witnessing August-Like Heatwave
Late May Heatwave Sweeps Across Spain
Madrid, Spain – In an unprecedented weather event, large portions of Spain have experienced temperatures nearing 40°C in late May. On Thursday, numerous cities broke late-May heat records, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 39°C, as reported by the state weather service Aemet via the X platform.
These exceptional temperatures are primarily attributed to human-induced climate change, making extreme heat events more likely to occur earlier in the year. Aemet has issued an orange alert, the second-highest heat warning, for the Sevilla area in Andalusia. This warning signifies "serious health risks" for children, the elderly, and individuals with health conditions. The cities of Madrid and Zaragoza also experienced extreme heat.
In contrast, temperatures on the popular holiday island of Mallorca, a favorite among Germans, were a relatively pleasant 28°C, while temperatures on the Canary Islands remained lower at 25°C.
The heatwave, which began in late May, is anticipated to persist through Sunday, according to Aemet's forecasts. Severe hailstorms and strong winds may also affect northern regions of the country during this period.
Experts warn that such early heatwaves could become increasingly common due to ongoing global warming. Climate models and recent observations suggest that heatwaves in Spain will become more frequent, more intense, and may even begin earlier in the year. This could pose significant health, economic, and environmental challenges without the implementation of strong mitigation and adaptation measures.
The ongoing heatwave, defying traditional weather patterns, has been linked to human-induced climate change and environmental science, making heat events like this more likely to occur in spring or early summer. As temperatures soar, scientists emphasize the potential of future extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, highlighting the need for early adaptation and mitigation measures in the field of environmental and climate-change science.
