Spain basked in scorching temperatures today as residents sweltered in the warmest January day in Europe since records began.
In Calles in the Valencian Community a temperature of 30.7C was recorded, while in Gavarda, in the same region, the mercury hit 30 degrees.
It marked the highest temperatures ever recorded in Europe in January, according to the Valencian Association of Meteorology.
Several Valencian towns saw temperatures that exceeded 29C, and even more reached 28C, in weather more typical of spring and summer than winter.
Images showed Valencian residents showering on the beach, sunbathing and taking a dip in the sea, while others sat in outdoor cafes to make the most of the unseasonable temperatures.
Residents make the most of the unusually warm winter’s day on Malavarrosa beach in Valencia, Spain on Thursday
People walk along the sea shore at the Malvarrosa beach in Valencia, Spain on Thursday
The Valencian Association of Meteorology posted a map of temperatures across the region on Thursday
Marco Petagna, Media Advisor & Senior Operational Meteorologist UK Met Office, posted about the unusually high temperature today in the Valencian Community on X
The meteorology service expected temperatures to reach 28C in the Mediterranean region of Murcia and 24 to 26C in most of Andalusia in southern Spain, with many other parts of the country climbing to 20C – up to 10C above normal levels for the time of the year in some places.
But even those enjoying the unusually warm weather voiced concerns about climate change and the threat of new heatwaves.
Scientists have linked scorching temperatures and dry and windy conditions in many parts of the world, including southern Europe, to climate change.
Last year was the second warmest on record in Spain with consecutive heatwaves causing droughts and wildfires.
‘We’re a bit surprised that it’s so pleasantly warm… And it’s nice for us now, but we don’t think it’s completely normal,’ German tourist Thorsten Petersen, 66, said in downtown Madrid.
Adela, a local pensioner, added: ‘Those who say there is no climate change just have to look at what’s happening: it’s either too cold or too warm. I think this is a disaster.’
Footage showed people taking off their winter coats and some wearing shorts and T-shirts in the Spanish capital.
In neighbouring Portugal, the air warmed up the most in the central district of Leiria, reaching 23C, and the weather agency IPMA expected 24C there on Friday.
In the north, temperatures were 8 to 9C above normal levels, it said.
People enjoying the sun at the Malvarrosa beach in Valencia, Spain on Thursday
A towel seller walks on the Mavarrosa beach, in Valencia, Spain on Thursday
A woman taking a shower in a swimsuit in Valencia, Spain on Thursday
‘I think it’s because of the climate change,’ said French tourist Jane Dubois, standing by the River Tagus in Lisbon. ‘It’s our future so we have to protect the planet.’
Fabio Silvestre, visiting Lisbon with his small daughter from Italy, echoed the climate concerns.
He said: ‘I am a bit worried about my daughter… The weather is not normal like this.’
The unusually high temperatures in Spain come as Britain has been hit by turbulent weather.
Storm Jocelyn – already the UK’s tenth storm in just five months – arrived on Tuesday and continued to thrash Britain with winds of up to 97mph.
It came just days after Storm Isha, which caused severe flooding, closed schools and tragically killed five people in the UK and Ireland.
This was preceded by Storm Henk, also in January, and seven other storms that have hit the British Isles since the start of September.