Spain braces for most intense heat wave to hit country
Madrid, Aug 11 (EFE).- Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday called for “maximum prudence and full collaboration” as a heat wave hit Spain, exposing parts of the country to a high risk of wildfires with six regions on red alert.
Temperatures will reach up to 44 degrees Celsius in some parts of the Iberian peninsula and will last up to six days, according to the National weather agency Aemet, who warned this summer’s heat wave is the most intense, widespread and lasting to hit Spain.
“We are facing a very adverse episode that advises extreme caution,” Aemet spokesperson Rubén del Campo warned.
The “suffocating” heat will spread across most of the country, including the Balearic islands, with the exception of the northern region of Cantabria and parts of Galicia.
By 6 am Wednesday morning, temperatures in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia exceeded 22 degrees Celsuis while in Palma de Mallorca, Seville and Murcia thermometers showed 23 degrees Celsius at the same time.
Forecasts predict the hottest days will be on August 13 to 15, with temperatures surpassing 44 degrees in the southern region of Andalusia.
During those days, temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees above normal, according to Aemet. EFE
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