June heatwaves have surged over the past decade, with the annual tally of extreme heat events climbing dramatically. A spokesperson for the State Meteorological Service spoke with Rubén del Campo during a meeting with Teresa Ribera, the minister responsible for ecological transition and demographic challenges, to discuss how heat waves intersect with science and management.
Ribera noted that the minister is engaging with meteorologists to review the health impacts of heat waves and the growing role of climate change in shaping everyday risks. The discussions centered on how heat events are intensifying and becoming more frequent, and how they particularly threaten vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.
On the peak day of the current heat wave, which began over the weekend and is expected to ease later in the week, meteorologists gathered with a fan and a poster illustrating the warming trend from 1850 through 2022. The group emphasized the importance of accurate, accessible weather information as temperatures rise.
Heat waves arrive early
The minister highlighted that heat waves are occurring even before summer starts and are no longer rare anomalies. They are recurring, and their intensity has grown in recent years, closely linked to climate change.
The discussion recalled last summer when there were many days and nights with tropical characteristics, and ministers asked meteorologists to explain the best way to convey these meteorological phenomena to the public.
Ribera announced that the Health and Climate Change Observatory is ready for operation, supported by the scientific staff of the Carlos III Institute and the Ministry of Health. This collaboration aims to strengthen the connection between weather data and health planning.
Del Campo, spokesperson for the meteorological service, noted that heat waves have tripled in frequency during the first month of summer compared with the past twelve years.
Summer encroaches on spring
Summers are extending and pushing into autumn and even spring, roughly gaining seven days of length per decade. If summers stretch longer, heat waves could begin sooner and persist as temperatures rise.
He added that there is about a three day increase in the number of heat-wave days each summer, every decade.
Currently the region has seen temperatures rising by roughly 1 to 1.2 degrees, with more days that are unusually warm than in the 1970s. Del Campo noted that tropical nights are on the rise and sea water temperatures have increased as well, affecting coastal communities and ecosystems.
TVE weather analyst Albert Barniol stressed the growing importance of collaboration among meteorologists to share data and communication strategies. He emphasized that discussions should cover not only the phenomena themselves but also their consequences for people, noting that summer is now the most dangerous season for many.
Aemet meteorologist Estrella Gutiérrez explained that current events are closely tied to the broader climate change context. Data is analyzed and distributed to the media to help inform models and public advisories.
Antena 3 weather presenter Roberto Brasero praised the minister for choosing the hottest day to discuss causes and consequences, agreeing with Del Campo that heat waves are arriving earlier and are more frequent than in the past, with July often seeing spikes in activity.
Meteorologist Joana Ivars of La Sexta urged communities to adapt lifestyles to improve resilience against climate change and its effects.
The significance of fog and radiation
In addition to temperature extremes, physicist María del Mar Gómez from Eltiempo.es pointed to the need to address haze and radiation. She notes a visible chromatic shift and urges expanding knowledge through new platforms so younger audiences can grasp the implications.
Carlos Macías of the program also echoed the call for broader use of social networks, arguing information should be engaging for youth since climate change adaptation must be framed positively to foster action.
Rosemary Alker, a meteorologist on Mediaset, highlighted the importance of a warning system for events such as tropical storms that could affect the Canary Islands and the mainland. She reminded audiences that in the United States the Weather Channel focuses exclusively on weather information.
Respondents agreed that despite some skepticism and accusations that weather outlets only deliver bad news, the public increasingly recognizes the value of timely weather information.
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Contact information for the environment department has been removed in keeping with the update to this article.