Ski Resort Visits Drop, Beaches Crowded... Spain Nears 30-Degree Celsius High Temperature

Summer Extends by 10 Days Every Decade Since 1980
Late Heat Forecasted to Hinder Winter Sports Enjoyment

Late heatwaves have been wreaking havoc in Spain, which suffered from scorching heat last summer, leading to forecasts that winter sports such as skiing may not be enjoyed.

On the 12th (local time), according to the Spanish National Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the southern Spanish city of Malaga recorded a temperature of 29.9 degrees Celsius.

This is the highest temperature ever recorded, surpassing the previous record of 29.4 degrees Celsius in Granada, Andalusia, southern Spain, in December 2010.

Typically, December temperatures in Spain hover around 15 degrees Celsius, and due to the warm weather, more people have been enjoying unexpected sunbathing on the beaches.

On the other hand, the ski resort in Navacerrada, on the outskirts of Madrid, usually has at least 1 meter of snow at this time of year, but due to the lack of snowfall, the number of visitors has decreased.

Typically, December in Spain sees temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius, and due to the warm weather, more people have been enjoying unexpected sunbathing on the beaches.
[Photo by EPA·Yonhap News]

Rub?n del Campo, spokesperson for AEMET, said, "Mediterranean coastal cities with plenty of sunshine, like Valencia, recorded temperatures of at least 27 degrees Celsius," adding, "This is 2 degrees higher than last December's temperatures."

Regarding this high-temperature phenomenon, AFP reported that a warm air current crossing the Iberian Peninsula persisted for several days, causing the temperature to rise.

According to AEMET statistics, the frequency of heatwaves in Spain has tripled over the past decade. Since 1980, summer weather has been increasing by about 10 days every 10 years.

2023 Expected to be Recorded as the Hottest Year in History

Earlier on the 5th (local time), the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) announced that last November was the hottest November on record, with the Earth's monthly average temperature setting record highs for six consecutive months from May to November.

According to C3S, the average temperature from January to November this year was 0.13 degrees Celsius higher compared to the same period in 2016.

Daytime temperatures exceeded 20 degrees Celsius, and reports of spring flowers blooming were observed across the country. On the 9th, there was a report saying, "Cherry blossoms have bloomed in Busan. I saw forsythia blooming today in Changwon, so it's spring." On the 11th, another report stated, "The problem is not only that cherry blossoms have bloomed in Busan. Near Seongnam, azaleas have bloomed." [Photo by X (formerly Twitter)]

In response, Dr. Carlo Buontempo of C3S pointed out, "If greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, temperatures will continue to rise steadily, and heatwaves and droughts will persist."

In fact, abnormal temperatures are occurring worldwide, not just in Spain. Domestically, for the first time in 24 years, a heavy rain advisory was issued in December last weekend. Additionally, daytime temperatures exceeded 20 degrees Celsius in most regions.

With daytime temperatures surpassing 20 degrees, reports of spring flowers blooming across the country have been emerging. On the 8th, posts on X (formerly Twitter) included "Current status of a flowerbed at an apartment in Busan. Cherry blossoms blooming," and "Here too in Busan. Cherry blossoms have been blooming in December and January for about three years," accompanied by verified photos.

Following that, on the 9th, there was a report saying, "Cherry blossoms bloomed in Busan. Today, I saw forsythia blooming in Changwon," and on the 11th, another report stated, "The problem is not only the cherry blossoms blooming in Busan. Near Seongnam, azaleas have bloomed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.