"Mălaga's Fiery Sizzle Cools Down as Temperatures Take a Chill Pill from the Scorching 45C"

"Scorching Shenanigans: Málaga Province Roasts Under Record-Breaking Heat, but Falls Shy of Historic Highs"

The sun cranked up the heat in Málaga province, turning up the temperature dial to jaw-dropping levels. On Wednesday, the notorious heatwave set the stage for some sizzling records. Cártama, nestled in the Guadalhorce valley, took the crown with a scorching 44.8 degrees (in the shade, mind you), while the official Aemet measurement point, the airport, wasn't far behind at a sweltering 43 degrees.

Spain's state weather agency, Aemet, had issued a red level alert for high temperatures, and boy, were they justified! They predicted a maximum of 42 degrees, but the mercury shot up to 43 degrees at the airport at 4:30 pm, leaving no doubt about the severity of the heat. However, the unofficial thermometers affiliated with the Meteoclimatic network didn't shy away from the spotlight either. They proudly displayed 44.8 degrees in Cártama and a scorching 44.7 degrees in the same municipality, proving their accuracy beyond doubt. Pizarra witnessed a blistering 44 degrees, while Álora and Coín danced close behind at 43.6 and 42.3 degrees, respectively.

A red warning for heat, the most extreme level of alert by Aemet, is a rare sight in Málaga province. It usually frequents the stage in cities like Seville, Cordoba, Granada, and Jaen. Yet, yesterday marked an extraordinary occasion—the first time this year that Aemet had to paint the meteorological region encompassing Málaga city, the Costa del Sol, and the Guadalhorce valley in vibrant red hues. The arrival of a fiery land-based wind, known as the 'terral,' made its presence known, adding to the already oppressive warmth that had embraced the country since the start of the week. Jesús Riesco, the director of Aemet's Malaga weather center, revealed that the red warning threshold is set at 42 degrees, a mark that was clearly surpassed.

As the temperature soared, the municipal emergency plan in Málaga city partially kicked into action, alert to the risk posed by the scorching conditions. The 112 Andalucía emergency services coordination centre diligently coordinated efforts to ensure the safety of the locals.

Meanwhile, in the Alto Guadalhorce region, including Coín, Álora, Pizarra, and Cártama, the sweltering ordeal intensified beyond initial predictions. The meteorologist humorously described this area as an "oven." "Yesterday undoubtedly marked the hottest day of the year, and it might just hold that title until the summer bids farewell, unless a 'terral' makes an encore with its toasty air masses," Riesco remarked. Coastal areas also received weather warnings, as the warm western winds, known as 'levantes,' typically grace spots like Estepona and Vélez with their heated presence.

Although the recorded temperatures fell short of claiming the highest spot in history, a record set 45 years ago on July 18, 1978, when the airport thermometer struck a scorching 44.2 degrees, it was still a close call. Aemet considers only this specific thermometer for statistical purposes, disregarding the higher values typically observed in the province's interior.

In this fiery chapter of Málaga's weather chronicles, the heat left no room for doubt—it's a summer to remember, where temperatures soared, records flirted, and locals sought refuge in the shade or a cool dip in the nearest body of water.