This Thursday night has been historic for Valencian meteorology, with temperatures failing to drop below 30ºC in numerous towns in the Marina Alta. Dénia and Ràfol registered 39ºC at midnight, as reported by the association Avamet, which described the situation as 'dantesque'.
Other towns in the region also recorded extreme temperatures during the early hours. Pego and Pedreguer reached 38ºC, while Parcent hit 37ºC. L’Atzúvia and Alcalalí recorded 36ºC, and some areas in Les Valls reached 35ºC.
The previous day, Wednesday, August 19th, had already been extremely harsh, with daytime temperatures hovering around 40ºC in many municipalities of the Marina Alta, under a red alert. The daytime high was recorded in Pego at 43.2 degrees, close to the regional record set in Alzira (44.7ºC). Avamet stations in l’Atzúvia, Benigembla, the Vall de Gallinera, Pedreguer, Sagra, el Ràfol, la Vall d’Ebo, Els Poblets, and Dénia exceeded 40ºC.
The heat did not subside even after sunset. At 9:30 PM on Wednesday, the station in Les Rotes, Dénia, was already recording 39.9 degrees, almost 40ºC.
The situation did not improve during the early hours of Thursday, August 20th. In the center of Dénia, the Joan Chabàs station did not drop below 31.8ºC. In Pego, minimum temperatures were 31.4ºC. Minimums above 30ºC were also recorded in l’Atzúvia, Benissa, La Xara, the historic center of Xàbia, and Calp.
For this Thursday, a new heat alert is expected, this time at yellow level. Additionally, there will be three more alerts for rain, storms, and sea conditions. The potential rainfall could help cool the atmosphere.
