Spain’s August heatwave was ‘most intense on record’, weather agency says

As firefighters battled wildfires in the north and west of Spain, according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) reported having “the most intense” heatwave on record this month.

The organization stated in a statement on Sunday that the agency’s provisional readings for the heatwave from August 3 to August 4 exceeded the previous record, which was set in July 2022, and showed an average temperature of 4. 6 degrees Celsius (40. higher than the anticipated threshold (2 Fahrenheit).

According to AEMET, the most recent heatwave, which saw temperatures reach 43C (109F), is a result of an escalating trend of warmer summers brought on by the climate crisis.

It claimed that it is a coincidence that four of the five heat waves have occurred since 2019. The trend toward more extreme summers is obvious, even though not every summer will be the same as the previous one. The two main objectives are climate change adaptation and mitigation. ”

77 heatwaves have been recorded in Spain since AEMET began keeping track of its records in 1975, with six of them reaching 4C (39). above the recommended level (2F).

According to an estimate released on Tuesday by the Carlos III Health Institute, more than 1,100 deaths in Spain have been linked to the heatwave in August this year. The heatwave has also made Spain’s tinderbox conditions worse, causing wildfires that are still ravaging some areas of the nation.

The Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and the Spanish army all sent 3,400 troops and 50 aircraft to aid firefighters last week, in addition to the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Slovakia.

According to the European Union’s European Forest Fire Information System, the fires have consumed more than 382,000 hectares (945,00 acres), or about 3,820 square kilometers (1,475 square miles).

One of Southern Europe’s worst wildfire seasons in 20 years is occurring in the majority of the country.

According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, Europe has been warming twice as quickly as the world average since the 1980s.

Scientists associate heatwaves and dry weather with ; In recent years, climate change has become more prevalent all over the world.

The fire season is beginning earlier and ending later, according to the World Health Organization.