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ARCHIVED - Hottest day on record: temps reach unprecedented heights in the Vega Baja region, Alicante
The Orihuela district of San Bartolomé sweltered in 46.2 degrees on Monday July 25
The intense second heatwave of the year in Spain has seen the mercury rise to unprecedented heights in the Vega Baja region of Alicante province where temperatures smashed all-time records on Monday July 25.
An incredibly warm mass of air at mid-levels, combined with warm westerly winds, led to some unbearable hours of intense heat and saw thermometers hit 46.2 degrees inthe Orihuela district of San Bartolomé.
Official meteorological data was first recorded in the Vega Baja in 1927, and until now, the historical maximum temperature reached was 45.7ºC in the centre of Orihuela, recorded on July 4 1994.
This has now been surpassed by half a degree, according to the network of official observatories installed in the Vega Baja del Segura by MeteOrihuela and Suremet.
Data shows that coastal areas were not so hard-hit by the heatwave (see below for full details), with the mercury rising to levels of at least 5ºC lower than further inland where the humidity has been very low, occasionally below 10%. In contrast, on the coast the hygrometric percentage has been in average values.
Fortunately, the extreme heat subsided notably on Tuesday July 26, with the radical change in the wind flow to easterly (a relatively cool and humid flow), and maximum temperatures are expected to drop by around 10ºC.
"This trend towards a more bearable daytime scenario will continue for the rest of the week, with even more low-level cloudiness," assured geographer and meteorologist Pedro José Gómez Cascales.
"Regarding tropical nights (minimum temperatures above 20ºC) and/or equatorial-torrid nights (minimum temperatures above 25ºC), we will continue to experience them, making it difficult to get to sleep," he added.
Also read: 80-year-old man dies at El Campello beach, Alicante, in latest heatwave tragedy
Currently, with the surface water temperature of the Mediterranean Sea at 28-29ºC, the "cooling" effect of the sea breezes is clearly affected, being warmer, making it more difficult for thermometers to drop at night.
In short, "the loss of climatic comfort is very clear", according to the expert, especially in summer and at night.
Meteorologists have also noted a trend towards a lengthening of the summer season, extending into spring and autumn, thus establishing a theoretical five months of summer: May, June, July, August and September.
"The premise is clear: we need adaptation strategies to limit the effects of climate change."
Maximum temperatures recorded in the Vega Baja region: San Bartolomé (46.2ºC); Orihuela town centre (45.9ºC); Benejú and Benejú (45.2ºC); Benejúzar and Redován (45.2ºC) ; Rafal (45.1ºC); Callosa de Segura (44.7ºC); Bigastro (44.4ºC); Cox (44.1ºC); Albatera (43.6ºC); Jacarilla (43.3ºC); Algorfa and Dolores (43.3ºC) ; San Miguel de Salinas (43.1ºC); Almoradí (43.0ºC) and San Fulgencio (42.0ºC).
In purely coastal areas, temperatures were also very high, approaching 40ºC, such as 38.7ºC in Pilar de la Horadada; 37.7ºC in Guardamar del Segura; 37.5ºC in La Zenia (Orihuela Costa) and 37.1ºC in Torrevieja.
Now read: Torrevieja hit by second mini earthquake in a fortnight
Image: Archive
staff.inc.ali
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