Irish holidaymakers heading to the sunny coasts of Spain have been bombarded with warnings and advice over the last few days as temperatures soar and could be a danger to people’s health and the land.
The Copernicus Emergency Management Service has said wildfires are likely to be the most severe in the Andalucia and Extremadura regions as red alert weather warnings come into effect.
Spanish weather agency AEMET issued a red warning in response to extreme conditions in the cities of Seville and Badajoz for today, July 13, as temperatures hit 44C in these areas.
An orange warning is also in place for parts of central and southern Spain, where highs of 41C are expected as the European heatwave continues.
As a result of this extreme weather, Spain’s health ministry issued a caution to tourists and locals around the ‘intense heat’ that could affect people’s ‘vital functions’ and even bring on problems like heat stroke.
It advised people to drink water frequently - but not ice-cold water - wear light clothing and to stay in the shade or in air-conditioned places for ‘as long as possible.’
Clare Nullis, a World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman explained: “We do expect it to worsen. Accompanying this heat is drought. We’ve got very, very dry soils at the moment.
“The glaciers in the Alps, are really being punished at the moment. It’s been a very bad season for the glaciers. And we’re still relatively early in the summer.”
Nighttime in Spain is also due to be particularly warm with temperatures remaining around 25C through the night.
The Spanish Ministry of Health has published a list of safety advice for tourists arriving in the height of this extreme heatwave, and ask that people:
- Drink enough fluids
- Don't go outside at the height of morning/ early afternoon exposure
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks
- Pay close attention to infants, pregnant mothers, elderly people and those with conditions aggravated by heat
- Stay in cool, shaded areas
- Reduce physical activity in direct sunlight
- Wear loose, light clothing
- Never leave anyone in a locked vehicle
- Eat light meals that help replenish salts lost through sweat (fruits, vegetables, juices etc)
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