Walter Finch
MALAGA is set to endure its first hair dryer-style hot winds of the summer as a yellow alert has been issued for scorching temperatures this week.
The terral winds – hot, dry wind that blows inland towards the coast – are expected from today as the Aemet (Spanish meteorological agency) has warned of temperatures reaching a 42C in some areas.
An alert has already been issued for the Antequera region, and it is anticipated to be extended to the Guadalhorce Valley and the western Costa del Sol on Thursday.
The Axarquía region can expect the same fate by Friday.
This translates to three sweltering days of seeking shade, cranking up the air conditioning, and staying hydrated.
The Aemet alert for Wednesday is currently limited to the Antequera region between 1pm and 9pm, with temperatures potentially reaching 38C.
While this might be the only officially designated risk zone at the moment, the stifling heat characteristic of terral days is expected to blanket the entire province for the next 72 hours.
The heat will intensify on Thursday, with the terral’s wrath expected to push temperatures beyond the 40C mark in some municipalities.
Over in Coin, temperatures are forecast to reach a staggering 42C by Thursday.
Many other areas, including Tolox, Almogía, Manilva, Casares, and La Viñuela, can expect to see the mercury climb to 40C.
The Serranía de Ronda, the Antequera region, while coastal areas like Fuengirola, Marbella, Torremolinos, and Nerja will see temperatures range from 34C to 37C.
Malaga city is expected to peak at a relatively bearable 33C.
However, even minimum temperatures will remain high across the province, ranging from 22°C on the coast to 25C inland.
Friday is predicted to be the worst – and hopefully the last – day of the terral winds.
Both maximum and minimum temperatures will rise, ensuring very hot nights. An orange alert has been activated for the Guadalhorce Valley, the western Costa del Sol, and the Axarquía, where temperatures could potentially touch 39C. Similar to previous days, the alert will be in effect from 1pm to 9pm.
“This will be the most intense terral we’ve had so far, in terms of temperatures,” said Jesus Riesco, the director of the Aemet in Malaga.
Relief is finally expected over the weekend with the return of the Levante, a cool, easterly wind, which will bring a significant drop in temperatures, especially on the coast.
In Malaga city, the mercury could plummet by as much as 10 degrees on Saturday.
