MADRID – The peak of the fourth heatwave of this summer had locals and tourists sweating and groaning again in Spain on Wednesday with temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius, reported German news agency (dpa).
Spanish TV station RTVE spoke of a “suffocating” heat, while the newspaper El Mundo ran the headline: “Neurons melt like butter”.
For the entire territory or large parts of the regions of Andalusia, Castile and León, Madrid and Castile-La Mancha and even in the otherwise relatively cool Basque Country in Spain’s north, the state weather service AEMET declared the highest heat alert level.
In Madrid, where temperatures of almost 40 degrees Celsius were measured shortly before 7 pm (1700 GMT), many streets were deserted in the afternoon. On the other hand, the air-conditioned shopping centres and public swimming pools were already full in the early morning, media reported.
AEMET said the current heatwave will not end on Thursday, but will last at least until Friday, in contrast to earlier outlooks.
In many regions of the country, the highest heat alert levels of red (worst), orange or yellow will apply until then.
The popular tourist destination of Majorca with its famous Ballermann will be spared from the heatwave and the heat alert this time, with maximum temperatures of slightly more than 30 degrees Celsius.
The weather service had warned of an increased risk of forest fires in Spain this week against the background of a long-standing drought and due to strong winds. However, there have been no significant fires for the time being. – Bernama
