Heat alert
INTENSE heat is set to descend on the south-east of Spain today (Friday) and continue over the weekend, with warnings issued by state weather agency AEMET.
AEMET has issued a yellow alert for heat today for the south and the interior of Alicante province.
Their forecast shows highs of 38°C for Orihuela city and 31°C for Torrevieja.
On Saturday the mercury is set to rise even further, with the north and south of Alicante province on yellow alert – and the interior on orange.
AEMET is predicting highs of 41°C for Orihuela city, 40°C for Alcoy, 33°C for Torrevieja and 32°C for Benidorm.
Night-time temperatures are also set to rise, with the mercury unlikely to dip below 25°C over the weekend, according to AEMET.
Relief from the heat is expected at the start of next week with a low possibility of rain in many areas of Alicante province.
Pedro Gómez from MeteOrihuela noted that the Iberian
Peninsula was being hit by a ‘mass of hot air’ from North Africa.
He said that temperatures would be lower on the coast ‘but there would be more humidity’.
The health authorities have advised elderly people in particular to take precautions.
They highlighted the importance of drinking lots of water to keep hydrated ‘even if they are not thirsty’.
They should avoid consuming alcohol, coffee and sugary drinks ‘which can have a counterproductive effect’.
Light meals are recommended such as salads – and fruit and vegetables.