The extreme \u00a0heat\u00a0 has undoubtedly been the defining feature of last June. However, between warm episodes, we have seen the passage of \u00a0troughs\u00a0 that brought us some thermal relief, accompanied by \u00a0storms\u00a0 and even hail. Right now, we are in a phase of relief, but next week, the situation seems uncertain.<\/p>\n
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Cold air, hot air.<\/strong> Meteorologists expect the beginning of the week to stand out for an abrupt contrast between the \u00a0north\u00a0 and \u00a0center\u00a0 and \u00a0south\u00a0 of the peninsula. The reason for this lies in the presence of two differentiated air masses: a \u00a0cold\u00a0 one to the north and one of \u00a0warm air\u00a0 to the south.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rossby’s waves.<\/strong> To explain what happens at the atmospheric level, it is essential to detail one phenomenon involved: the not well-known \u00a0Rossby waves\u00a0. So, what exactly are these waves? They are atmospheric waves of planetary scale<\/a> that mark the alternation of troughs and ridges in \u00a0mid-latitudes\u00a0, such as those covering our region.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These waves move from \u00a0west to east\u00a0, dragged by the meanders of the \u00a0polar jet\u00a0. In principle, waves are governed by a balance, known in meteorology as \u00a0compensatory behaviors\u00a0: if pressure drops in one area, it must rise in another.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Strange dynamics.<\/strong> We are entering unknown territory. Physicist and researcher \u00a0JJ German\u00a0 recently explained on his Twitter account that as time progresses, conditions similar to those experienced in June should be “compensated” with opposite conditions in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, we face a \u00a0problem\u00a0: we are in uncharted territory. “This year, we have this strange dynamic, which might defy expectations,” states German. A \u00a0trough\u00a0 is expected to “sweep” across the Iberian Peninsula, yet it will primarily touch the \u00a0north\u00a0 and \u00a0northeast\u00a0, leaving the rest almost untouched.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This means everything indicates that after a series of hot episodes characterized by extreme \u00a0anticyclonic\u00a0 conditions, the “calm” of the troughs may not arrive\u2014at least not with the intensity we would hope.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What can we expect?<\/strong> The narrative appears to be repeating itself. The \u00a0troughs\u00a0 currently providing some relief from the heat are anticipated to last briefly. In the upcoming days, another surge of heat is expected. During the early part of the week, a warm air mass will dominate the center and south, while a cold air mass lingers in the north.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The situation will resemble previous transitional scenarios, with heat coexisting alongside the emergence of \u00a0storms\u00a0. The \u00a0State Meteorology Agency\u00a0 has activated multiple \u00a0warnings\u00a0 for both precipitation and extreme temperatures for today and tomorrow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In some areas of the \u00a0northwest\u00a0, we may experience situations where temperature warnings overlap with storm alerts. Starting Sunday, however, the expected alerts will predominantly be due to \u00a0high temperatures\u00a0 alone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ultimately, while the \u00a0climatic\u00a0 patterns and expectations may seem familiar, the nuances of this year’s weather present a distinct scenario. As we navigate through this turbulent \u00a0meteorological\u00a0 landscape, we must remain vigilant and prepared for the dynamic changes that lie ahead.<\/p>\n Image | ECMWF<\/a><\/p>\n