Spain Issues Heatwave Alert as Summer's First Extreme Heat Approaches
Spain is set to experience its initial heatwave of the summer, starting on Thursday, according to the meteorological agency AEMET. In response, the government has launched a heat risk awareness initiative for workers, particularly those employed outdoors.
Following an unusually cool start to the summer across the Iberian Peninsula, AEMET forecasts that temperatures will soar beyond 38 degrees Celsius across much of the nation on Thursday, with the southern Guadalquivir Valley potentially reaching highs of 42-44 degrees Celsius. The heatwave is expected to peak on Friday, with many areas climbing to around 40 degrees Celsius.
AEMET has issued a heatwave alert for a significant portion of Spain, including the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
On Wednesday, the National Institute for Safety and Health at Work introduced the campaign "With Sun Comes Caution" to address risks such as heat exhaustion and exposure to solar radiation.
The orange-level severe heat alert in various regions will also enforce restrictions on some outdoor work activities during the afternoon. This measure, outlined in a government decree from the previous year, aims to manage the increasing frequency of heatwaves linked to climate change driven by fossil fuels. This restriction will affect outdoor jobs including street cleaning and agriculture.
"There are individuals who are severely impacted by these extreme temperatures, particularly those exposed for extended periods without adequate hydration. My primary advice is to not underestimate these conditions as the human body isn't equipped to handle them for prolonged durations," AEMET spokesperson Luis Banon advised Reuters.
The heatwave is anticipated to continue through Saturday, with hot conditions potentially lingering into the middle of the following week. The situation will be compounded by haze drifting from Africa, which can worsen health issues during heatwaves.
In Madrid, where temperatures reached 36 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, residents sought relief in parks and fountains.
"I manage by using a fan when I'm outside and if that's not possible, I head to places like shopping centers or other cooler spots," retired Madrid resident Angela de la Vega shared with Reuters.
(Reporting by Emma Pinedo, Catherine Macdonald, Guillermo Martinez, and Michael Gore; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Aurora Ellis)