Almost 40 degrees – and that in April: Spain is experiencing unusually high temperatures for this time of year. The weather service expects the hottest April days since 1950. Concerns about forest fires are growing.
Unusually high temperatures are currently prevailing in Spain – sometimes it is well over 30 degrees. It is particularly hot in the Andalusia region in the south of the country. According to the national weather service Aemet, there should be temperatures of up to 36 degrees in the cities of Seville and Cordoba.
Temperatures could break records
Aemet does not expect the heat to peak until Thursday and Friday. There could be values of up to 39 degrees. Temperatures “typical for summer” have been reached since Monday, according to the weather service. The authority assumes that these days will be the hottest April days since 1950.
It doesn’t look as if the 40-degree mark will be cracked – but it can’t be ruled out, according to Aemet spokesman Rubén del Campo in the digital newspaper “El Confidencial”.
It is milder on the island of Mallorca, which is popular with German holidaymakers. 25 degrees were measured today in the capital Palma and at the famous Ballermann. An increase to a maximum of 28 degrees is expected in the coming days.
Experts warn of forest fires
What may trigger enthusiasm among tourists is what causes experts concern above all. They attribute the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather to climate change.
In addition, there has been a drought in Spain for many months. In combination with the heat, they warn of an increased risk of forest fires.
EU emergency aid requested due to drought
Agriculture in Spain is also suffering from the temperatures. The Spanish government had therefore turned to Brussels and asked for emergency aid. As Agriculture Minister Luis Planas announced on Tuesday, he applied to the EU for support for 890,000 farm workers.
“There are droughts, there are high temperatures, but they are much more pronounced in the case of the Iberian Peninsula,” said Planas. It is very important that the financial aid is released. The minister also asked for more “flexibility” in the European Union’s agricultural policy.
The Spanish government also announced €1.8 billion in tax cuts for affected farmers. According to the ministry, 27 percent of Spanish territory is currently under a drought “state of emergency” or a drought “warning”.