Catalonia has returned to live a day of extreme heat in full heat wave, with temperatures that have touched and exceeded 40 ° C in several parts of the territory. The episode, driven by a mass of warm, dry air from the interior of the peninsula, has left unusually high records for mid-August.
Among the most outstanding values was that of Vinebre, in Ribera d’Ebre, which reached 43.8 °C, making it the hottest Catalan town of the day. Other inland municipalities such as Flix, Móra la Nova or Alcarràs, all above 40 °C, were very close behind.
Records in other localities of Terres de l’Ebre and Ponent
Not only Vinebre has experienced historic temperatures. Other municipalities also reached extreme maximums, such as Masroig ( 2.4 °C), Ascó ( 42.2 °C), Batea (41.5 °C), Horta de Sant Joan ( 40.4 °C) or La Seu d’Urgell(40.0 °C). These data represent absolute records in at least five stations of the XEMA network.
In addition, in towns like Seròs (41.1 °C), Tremp (41.6 °C), Torroja del Priorat (40.8 °C), Aldover (41.7 °C) and other municipalities of Ponent and Ebro, the mercury also exceeded 40 °C by far.
The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya has confirmed that this value represents a new absolute record, beating the previous 43.6 °C recorded in August 2022.
An unprecedented heat wave
From Meteocat have pointed out that this Monday has experienced the maximum peak of the heat wave, with widespread records above 35 ° C in almost the entire territory and more than 75% of stations exceeding this figure. It was also the hottest night of the summer.
The intensity and extent of the heat have forced to maintain active the PROCICAT Plan for extreme heat, with warnings in many southern regions, Ponent and urban areas. The Generalitat has warned that the phenomenon could last until Tuesday afternoon.
Protecció Civil maintains the alert of the Pla d’Actuació per Onada de Calor and recalls the importance of hydration, avoid sun exposure in the central hours and pay special attention to the elderly, children and vulnerable groups. According to the AEMET, the episode could last until well into August.