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Despite Spain being in the grip of its first major heatwave of the summer, one small town in Cuenca has been enjoying unusually cool nights, with temperatures dipping below 10ºC while much of the country swelters under extreme heat.

 

Across Spain, thermometers have been pushing past 40ºC even in northern areas, with the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issuing orange and red warnings in several areas. Officials have urged people to take extra care as the intense heat continues to grip the country.

 

But in stark contrast to the sweltering conditions elsewhere, the small village of Salvacañete has managed to offer something closer to a mountain refuge from the heat, at least during the night.

 

Located in the Cabriel Valley and bordering the province of Valencia, Salvacañete sits in the Serranía Baja region of Cuenca at around 1,200 metres above sea level. Its elevation and mountain climate create a sharp difference between daytime and night-time temperatures, especially compared with much of the Iberian Peninsula.

 

On Monday morning, June 22, the village recorded a minimum temperature of 9.6ºC at around 7am, making it one of the coolest inhabited places in Spain at that time. While most areas were experiencing much milder overnight conditions due to the heatwave, Salvacañete residents were waking up to single-digit temperatures.

 

It was not, however, the coldest location in Spain that morning. According to AEMET data, La Orotava in Santa Cruz de Tenerife recorded an even lower minimum of 7.8ºC.

Even so, Salvacañete has continued to see notably cooler nights this week. AEMET records show early morning temperatures of around 13ºC on Tuesday June 23, with forecasts suggesting similar lows in the coming days, generally fluctuating between 11ºC and 12ºC.

 

While the nights remain refreshingly cool, the daytime picture is very different. Like much of inland Spain, Salvacañete is still expected to see highs between 30ºC and 35ºC throughout the week, meaning residents are experiencing sharp contrasts between hot afternoons and much cooler nights during the ongoing heatwave.

 

For more weather news go to our Weather & Climate page or follow the Spain Weather Watch Facebook group for regular updates

 

Image: Turismo Castilla La Mancha