Heatwaves in Spain, while fires and floods rage worldwide. Is climate change accelerating?

This past weekend was marked by natural disasters and extreme weather events around the globe. Record-breaking heat in Spain, massive wildfires in Canada, and severe flooding in Nigeria are, according to scientists, clear signs of an intensifying climate crisis that is bringing increasingly serious social and economic costs.

Heatwaves in Spain

Hot air masses from North Africa reached southern Europe at the end of May, bringing with them unexpected heatwaves. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET reported new heat records: on May 30, 41°C was recorded in Rota—2°C higher than the previous record from 2012. A day later, temperatures in Badajoz hit 39.2°C, beating the previous day’s record by 0.2°. In Córdoba and Seville, thermometers showed 40.7°C.
A forecast published yesterday by eltiempo.es predicts that in June, temperatures across Spain—except in the southwestern regions—will exceed long-term averages. At the same time, rainfall is expected to be lower than usual, raising understandable concerns about wildfires. Meteorologists emphasize that since 1975, Spain has experienced 10 heatwaves in June—half of which occurred in the last decade.

Catastrophic wildfires in Canada

Warm, dry weather is also affecting North America. Since Saturday, more than 26,000 residents have been evacuated from three Canadian provinces due to rapidly spreading wildfires. States of emergency have been declared in Saskatchewan and Manitoba for another month, and regional authorities have appealed for international assistance.
The fires in Canada are the result of prolonged drought. Initial outbreaks were observed as early as last week, and last Friday, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre reported 96 uncontrolled fires nationwide. On Saturday, the situation became critical in the neighboring provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba—19 fires were classified as out of control. The town of Flin Flon, with a population of 5,000, is currently inhabited only by firefighters. Fires are also spreading in Alberta.
Thick clouds of smoke have reached the northern United States, where 22 million people have received air quality warnings. Unfortunately, the weather forecast offers little hope. While meteorologists from Environment and Climate Change Canada predict the arrival of a cold front, it is expected to bring strong winds.

Over 200 flood victims in Nigeria

The fires in Canada are a stark contrast to the situation unfolding since Thursday in Niger State, in north-central Nigeria. Torrential rains around the city of Mokwa caused flooding deemed the most intense in 60 years. Rescue services have already identified over 200 fatalities, with another 500 people reported missing.

The waters have now receded, and authorities are planning to begin exhuming bodies to prevent the spread of infectious diseases typical of Nigeria’s tropical climate. Eyewitness accounts circulating in global media describe entire families being swept away by the floodwaters. Most residents of Mokwa, Tiffin Maza, and Anguwan Hausawa have lost everything, with their homes and possessions completely destroyed. Roads and bridges in the region have also been damaged.

Nigeria’s rainy season lasts from April to October and often causes flooding. However, scientists warn that its intensity has increased in recent years. The 2022 floods resulted in 600 deaths and the evacuation of a further 1.3 million people. This month, flash floods also struck Algeria, killing five people and injuring more than 100.

main photo credit: Paul VanDerWerf/Flickr