Date Published: 13/08/2021
ARCHIVED - Aemet issues red heat alert for central areas of Murcia on Sunday
ARCHIVED ARTICLE The heat alerts this weekend should be taken seriously, with a major episode of extreme heat bringing temperatures which could reach as high as 46 degrees this weekend.
Emergency services have stressed yet again on Friday that staying out of the sun, maintaining hydration by drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous exercise is important in order to avoid possible incidents of heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can be fatal.
Saturday:
For Saturday, Aemet warns that temperatures could reach 42 degrees throughout the Region of Murcia except for the Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón, which are currently without a warning level. An orange alert for these very high temperatures covers the Altiplano, the north-west, the Guadalentín valley, Lorca, Águilas and the Vega del Segura; in other words, all of the region except for the area surrounding the Mar Menor and along the coast from Cartagena to Mazarrón.
Sunday:
Temperatures are expected to rise even higher on Sunday, with temperatures in the city of Murcia possibly hitting 46 degrees!
Aemet predicts that temperatures may reach 44 degrees in the Vega del Segura river valley, 43 in the Altiplano, Northwest and Guadalentín Valley, Lorca and Águilas and 36 degrees in Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón. Consequently, the agency has issued a red warning for the Vega del Segura, orange for the Altiplano, Northwest and Guadalentín Valley, Lorca and Águilas and yellow for Campo de Cartagena and Mazarrón.
Maximum temperatures expected between Saturday August 14 and Sunday 15 (updated):
Caravaca de la Cruz and the north-west: Saturday: 42 degrees; Sunday: 41 degrees
Cartagena and the Mar Menor: Saturday: 33 degrees; Sunday: 34 degrees
Lorca and the Guadalentín Valley: Saturday: 42 degrees; Sunday: 44 degrees
Murcia and the Segura River Valley: Saturday: 41 degrees; Sunday: 46 degrees
Yecla and Jumilla (Altiplano): Saturday: 42 degrees; Sunday: 42 degrees
This level of heat is dangerous and the authorities in the Region have reiterated the need for residents to protect themselves from the heat, particularly the most vulnerable such as the elderly, young children, the chronically ill and pregnant women. To avoid the risk of heatstroke, emergency services have recommended avoiding the sun during the hottest parts of the day and remembering that jumping from a hot beach into cold water can shock the body, causing dizziness or fainting, which can, in turn, lead to drowning. Physical exercise and alcohol should be avoided, loose, light clothes worn and the body hydrated by drinking plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages.
There is to be no reprieve at night with minimum temperatures not dropping below 20 degrees anywhere in the region during the next few days.
The high temperatures will continue on Monday, with everywhere in the region expecting maximums of over 40 degrees, except for the Mar Menor and Cartagena areas with a maximum of 33 degrees.
Fire risk and contamination alert:
The fire risk will be high across the region this weekend, so the regional parks authorities have taken the precaution of closing the regional parks on Saturday and Sunday. Accesses to residential areas and villages remain open, but the leisure and picnic zones within the parks are closed.
The parks department of Murcia city council has also closed parks in the capital city and roped off trees which could suffer from heat stress and possibly lose branches in order to prevent accidents. The mass of hot air accompanying this weather front has also prompted the raising of a pollution alert in the city due to the high presence of Saharan dust particles in the air. Those suffering from breathing conditions are advised to avoid strenuous exercise and remain indoors as much as possible during the next two days.