Spain Heat Wave: Temperatures Break Records, 33 Provinces On Alert
A record Spain heat wave is burning across the nation while causing the worst high temperatures Spain has suffered in over a century. Heat can be a bother in any climate, from Arizona’s dry heat in the Summer’s 100s to Florida’s humid temps in the 80s. In either case, it’s enough to make most people stay inside, use the air conditioner non-stop and run up a huge electric bill.
Heat can also get to you indoors as a teenager discovered the hard way when charging an iPhone 5S while sleeping. The device literally caught fire and gave the teen third-degree burns as previously reported by The Inquisitr.
Portable devices may be the least of Spain’s problems at the moment as temperatures have reached 97.8 degrees, the hottest weather the hottest weather the Spanish people have experienced since May 9, 1912. Considering Spain’s proximity to a large body of water from any point, the humidity can be deadly at that temperature.
Juan Francisco Díaz discovered this the hard way after attempting to dig a ditch at a country house. The 32-year-old collapsed just a few miles from Badajoz, and after being taken to the hospital, he was pronounced dead.
Quim Cot of Catalonia’s meteorological agency predicts that the temperatures are only going to get worse in the coming years. He didn’t directly blame Spain’s heat wave on climate change, even though it’s a hot issue these days, no pun intended.
Record highs in the month of May have so far included temperatures in excess of 100 degrees in Carcaixent (109.2), Xativa (108.9), Algemesi (108.7), and Valencia (108.1).
Portugal And Spain Sizzling In Heatwave: Temperatures are soaring in Portugal and Spain, smashing previous rec… http://t.co/GERHtz0PMA
— Portugal News Links (@dlPortugalnews) May 15, 2015
On Wednesday, Lanzarote Airport on the Canary Islands was struck by Spain’s heat wave at a blistering 108.7 degrees. This may be the norm if climate change is the reason, turning Spain into a potential boiling point in the coming years.
If you plan on visiting Spain this month, be prepared. Keep plenty of water on hand and wear a hat to keep the unforgiving Sun from sapping the moisture out of you too quickly. Even then, be careful and pay attention to warning signs. If you start feeling dizzy, head for the shade and drink plenty of water.
[Image via Jeff Topping / Getty Images]
