The current heatwave in the Canary Islands, described as “extraordinary” for this time of year, has persisted for ten consecutive days, setting new records, according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). This is an unprecedented occurrence in over 50 years, with the agency anticipating relief from this situation starting Friday. An Atlantic squall is expected to enter the region, bringing a drop in temperatures, particularly from Saturday onwards, and widespread rain across the Peninsula. The heatwave in the Canary Islands will also gradually subside.
A spokesperson for AEMET, Rubén del Campo, noted that this weekend witnessed additional record-breaking temperatures for October. Specifically, he mentioned the temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius (ºC) recorded at Cordoba Airport on Friday, along with the historical record at the Madrid Retiro station, which exceeded 30ºC in October for the first time. On that day, the mercury reached 30.1ºC, the highest temperature recorded at this observatory since its establishment in 1930, surpassing the 30ºC recorded on October 1 of the same year and on October 3, 1930.
HEATWAVE IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
The spokesperson also highlighted other records, including the temperature of 35.2ºC at El Hierro Airport, surpassing the 34.2ºC recorded on October 16, 1973. Furthermore, Saturday saw record highs for October in Galicia, with La Coruña reaching 33.4ºC, exceeding the 31.5ºC recorded on October 2, 2011, in a historical data series spanning 93 years. Sunday continued to be scorching, with temperatures nearing 38ºC in the Canary Islands and parts of the province of Huelva.
Del Campo emphasized the significance of this ongoing record-breaking heatwave, lasting ten consecutive days since September 29. Each day during this period has set a new record as the warmest for that specific date since at least 1950.
This episode, starting on September 29, is exceptional, doubling the number of heat records typically expected for a given year. In 2023, there will be a total of 30 record-warm days and no record-cold days, a stark departure from the usual occurrence of both types of records within a full year.
Regarding the weather, there has been minimal rainfall across the country during this period, and this pattern is expected to persist at least until Friday of the upcoming week, with temperatures remaining well above normal for this time of year.
A shift in temperatures is anticipated with the arrival of cooler Atlantic air during the weekend, primarily affecting the northern regions, while the Mediterranean area and the south may still experience above-average temperatures.
In addition to the temperature drop, a front and subsequent low-pressure system are expected, bringing rainfall to Galicia on Friday before extending to other parts of the Peninsula and possibly the Balearic Islands. However, it is unlikely to reach the southeastern Peninsula during the weekend.
The spokesperson suggests that the Canary Islands may have to wait until the beginning of the following week to see relief from the ongoing hot spell, marking the tenth heatwave in October since 1975.
In the immediate forecast, temperatures may decrease by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius in the Cantabrian Sea and the southern third of the Peninsula on Monday, although maximum temperatures will still surpass 32ºC in various regions.
Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to remain unchanged, with no rainfall and very warm conditions across most of the country. Thursday and Friday will have a similar weather pattern, with rain expected in Galicia on Friday.
Looking ahead to the weekend, the arrival of Atlantic low pressure could bring rain to additional areas of the Peninsula, including the Cantabrian Sea, Castile and Leon, Extremadura, and possibly parts of the central region such as the Community of Madrid. Some precipitation on Sunday may also be possible in eastern areas and the Balearic Islands but is unlikely to affect the southeastern Peninsula.
Temperatures are not expected to undergo significant changes, with very warm conditions persisting in much of the country, similar to previous days. Saturday may bring a somewhat more seasonally appropriate drop in temperatures, with decreases of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, returning to normal levels in the north but remaining high in the Mediterranean, the Balearic Islands, and the southern half of the country.
