Spain’s recent heat wave could go down as most intense in history

By Alyssa McMurtry

MADRID (AA) - The 10-day heat wave that finally dissipated in Spain on Tuesday was the most intense on record, according to preliminary data from Spain’s state meteorological agency AEMET.

Data shared on Wednesday suggests that it was 4.2 degrees Celsius warmer than normal in Spain during the heat wave, making it the hottest in history.

It was also at least the third longest and one of the top three widespread geographically.

Of all AEMET weather stations, around one-third registered record-breaking temperatures, some for the month of July and some for all-time heat.

Agency spokesperson Bea Hervella told Spain’s national broadcaster that the data is still provisional as more needs to be analyzed, and also because the heat wave may not officially be over.

“Two heat waves, separated by one day, are considered to be just one long heat wave,” she explained, adding that the mercury is rising again on Wednesday and another bout of excess temperatures is on the horizon.

On Wednesday, around half of Spain is under a meteorological advisory for high temperatures.

The heat wave has already claimed 678 lives through to July 17, according to excess mortality data from Spain’s Health Ministry.

The dry, scorching temperatures also gave rise to dozens of wildfires, which charred an estimated 40,000 hectares (98,800 acres) of vegetation and killed two people.

Uncontrolled blazes continue, putting Spain on track for its worst wildfire season on record as well.

“Climate change kills,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said earlier this week.

“It kills people, our ecosystem, our biodiversity and it destroys people’s most precious assets like their homes, their businesses or their livestock.”