in Madrid
In Spain, where temperatures could reach 40C (104F) this week, an orange weather alert was issued for the Basque Country amid predictions that the northern region could see the mercury hit 37C on Wednesday. Temperatures of 36C to 38C were forecast for southern regions, with a high of 38C in the southwestern city of Badajoz.
Are we just going to ignore the fact that there’s a giant King Kong wearing a Real Madrid shirt in the background? Photograph: Pablo Garcia/The GuardianSpain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, said temperatures more normally seen in July had already been recorded across the country, adding that the current heat was “more characteristic of the dog days, the hottest period of the year”. It also said that such hot spells were the result of the climate emergency.
“It should be pointed out that climate change is leading to episodes of high temperatures throughout the year that are more frequent and more intense than in previous decades,” said Rubén del Campo, an Aemet spokesperson.
“Both this episode and the atmospheric pattern that’s causing it are part and parcel of climate change and of what’s been observed in recent years.”
