Date Published: 09/08/2021
ARCHIVED - Murcia Weather August 9 to August 11: Cooler temperatures and possible red rain on the horizon
ARCHIVED ARTICLE Temperatures are set to drop on Monday with a possibility of storms throughout the Region
Image: Afternoon temperatures expected on Wednesday, August 11
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has forecast a cloudy and misty start to Monday, August 9 throughout the Region of Murcia. As the day goes on, scattered showers can’t be ruled out and there is even the possibility of occasional storms with mud deposits, the most unwelcome phenomenon which leaves patios and balconies covered in red dust and mud.
This is Saharan dust, which is carried in a mass of warm air from Africa. Saharan dust clouds are increasingly becoming part of our regular weather and according to meteorologists are set to become more frequent in the future due to climate change.
The Murcia region is one of the closest points to the African continent so regularly experiences this phenomena.
Pollution alerts are normally raised by the cities of Murcia and Cartagena when these events occur as the dust particles are classed as pollution and can cause breathing difficulties for those prone to this type of event, for which reason it is normally recommended that anyone with breathing difficulties avoid exercise and remain indoors when these episodes occur.
The dust cloud will leave a residue of red Saharan dust lying in the streets (and on cars), so it's hardly worth considering even sweeping it up or washing the car until after the dust cloud has passed.
After another scorcher of a weekend, Murcians are in for a slight reprieve in the early part of the week as the mercury is set to drop considerably. On Monday, temperatures are not set to rise above 33 degrees, with night-time minimums a balmy 24 degrees. As usual coastal areas will be slightly cooler, with Cartagena reaching a maximum day-time temperature of 29 degrees while Caravaca, Murcia and Lorca will hover somewhere around 32 / 33. There will be a slight easterly breeze throughout Monday.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, temperatures will rise again around four degrees, leaving maximums that will be around 37 degrees. The morning will give way to some high clouds throughout the afternoon with a gentle easterly wind along the coast. The municipality of Murcia will see the highest temperatures on Tuesday, with coastal Cartagena also rising a couple of degrees to 32. The nights will be considerably more comfortable with maximum temperatures of 23 degrees, although still above the 20-degree level classified as being "tropical nights".
Wednesday will dawn a little misty, giving way to high clouds and rising temperatures. The mercury is set to hit a blistering 39 degrees in Lorca and Yecla, while the remainder of the region will also see the thermometers jump a couple of degrees.
Maximum temperatures expected between Monday and Wednesday:
Caravaca de la Cruz: Monday: 32; Tuesday: 36; Wednesday: 38
Cartagena: Monday: 29; Tuesday: 31; Wednesday: 31
Lorca: Monday: 33; Tuesday: 35; Wednesday: 39
Murcia: Monday: 32; Tuesday: 37; Wednesday: 36
Yecla: Monday: 32; Tuesday: 36; Wednesday: 39
Image: Aemet