The 47.6 °C that hit Spain in 2021, during the worst heat wave in the country’s history, could become the average summer temperature. This is stated by Carlos del Castillo, one of the most important scientists within NASA. In his communication to the Chain BEcomments that the Iberian region it would have a climate more similar to Asian and Africandiffering widely from its European neighbors.
Del Castillo believes it is possible that, during the next heat waves, 50 °C will become a reality for Spain. Although there are regions of the country that already reach these temperatures, for others it is completely unknown terrain. However, for years to come, this number could start to be seen more frequently.
“We continue with the stove on and the temperatures will continue to rise,” commented Carlos del Castillo.
In addition to offering a glimpse of what awaits Spain during future heat waves, also confirms the cause of these temperature increases. As usual, greenhouse gas emissions can be traced. While this number continues to increase, Del Castillo assures that the thermometers will also increase.
Worst heat waves and extreme weather for Spain if the outlook continues as it is
According to a series of videos published by NASA, Europe, North America and Asia are the largest producers of CO2 in the world. These high emissions not only affect the regions that most absorb these gases -the southern hemisphere of the planet-. Besides, they are a sentence for the countries that produce it, such as Spain.
Del Castillo assures that, if governments do not make the decision to drastically reduce emissions from fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), the increase in temperatures could lead to a disaster in Spain. Not only will there be more intense heat waves and higher average temperatures, but we would also see extreme weather events.
As water vapor increases, as a result of heat waves, the rains can be increasingly intense. However, during the colder months of the year, Spain could face equally heavy and problematic snowfall.
The Spanish economy could face a problem
In 2019, the World Travel and Tourism Council ranked Spain number two on a list of the countries most dependent on tourism. For this reason, during the long confinements experienced in 2020, the country saw its economy suffer a significant blow from which it continues to recover. However, according to NASA, this could happen again if the climate crisis continues in the same direction.
High temperatures in Spain are already causing tourism to suffer a decline in some sectors. Those nationalities with a greater predilection for the Iberian Peninsula are already choosing fresher destinations to vacation within the continent. Increasingly extreme heat or cold waves would only serve to affect residents, as well as the country’s economy.