While many Spanish regions are sweltering under soaring temperatures, one city on Spain’s north coast presents a different picture. This has led to mixed reactions among its residents and visitors
Like Britain is at the moment, Spain is set to bask in a heatwave – however not in one area.
While many regions are sweltering under soaring temperatures, one city on Spain’s north coast presents a different picture. This has led to mixed reactions among its residents and visitors.
From Wednesday (July 17) onwards, a significant portion of the Iberian Peninsula has been under heatwave alerts. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued warnings for around fifteen provinces in the southern half of the country, as well as Teruel, , and La Rioja.
These areas are experiencing temperatures exceeding 35C, with some regions like the Guadalquivir Valley facing even more extreme conditions.
The situation is expected to worsen on Thursday (July 18), prompting the Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies to activate alerts for forest fire risks and high temperatures. AEMET forecasts that temperatures will surpass 38C in many areas, reaching up to 42-44C in the Guadalquivir Valley.
Friday (July 19) is anticipated to be the peak of this heatwave episode. Temperatures above 40C are expected to be widespread in the affected regions. Even in areas like the northern plateau and the Balearic Islands, where heatwave criteria might not be met, temperatures will still be significantly high, ranging between 36-38 degrees Celsius.
However, amidst these scorching conditions, Santander – the capital city of the Cantabria region – stands out with its relatively mild weather. The forecast for Thursday predicts increased cloudiness leading to overcast skies. This has led to some interesting reactions from locals and visitors alike.
One young woman recorded a video from Sardinero Beach in Santander, expressing her disbelief at the heatwave warnings while enjoying much cooler weather. Her video quickly gained attention on social media platforms like TikTok.
“Heatwave WHERE?! Nowhere beats the north,” she exclaimed in her video, highlighting hashtags such as #norteño, #santander, #nortedeespaña, #verano2024, #oladecalor, and #españatiktok.
While much of Spain grapples with extreme heat, Cantabria’s weather remains relatively stable with maximum temperatures around 24C and minimums around 18C. This stark contrast has sparked envy among those enduring the heatwave elsewhere in Spain.
Many people commented on the video, as one person wrote: “People complaining that it’s hot, but if you’re in the north, at 9:30 pm it’s already 22 degrees. This is fantastic. Get out of Madrid because it’s very nice here. The heatwave has not arrived.” Another added: “Don’t tell anyone, we will be invaded. We have microclimate in the north – 22C.”
