Spain Records Over 150 Heat-Related Deaths in Early July as Wildfires Burn 56,000 Hectares
Spain's Heatwave Death Toll and Wildfires
More than 150 deaths in the first days of July were attributed to high temperatures according to Spain's Ministry of Health's Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo). [4] MoMo estimated 1,029 heat-related deaths in June, the highest monthly toll since the system began in 2015. [4] Firefighters are battling multiple wildfires, including one in La Bisbal d'Emporda that has burned about 2,200 hectares in the protected Les Gavarres area with a 40 km perimeter. [4] Satellite-based estimates from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) show wildfires have burned around 56,000 hectares in Spain this year. [4] The Spanish Ministry of Health's Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) reported that more than 150 deaths occurred amid the country's second official heatwave of the summer. [4] This toll follows directly after the June figure of 1,029 heat-related deaths tracked by the same system. [4] Firefighters continue operations against several active blazes, with the La Bisbal d'Emporda fire alone consuming approximately 2,200 hectares inside the Les Gavarres protected zone and extending across a 40 km perimeter. [4] Nationwide, satellite data compiled by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) place the total area burned by wildfires at around 56,000 hectares for the year to date. [4] The Ministry of Health monitoring continues to record fatalities linked to elevated temperatures in the opening days of July. [4]
Italy Prepares for Return of Extreme Heat
Italy is bracing for a new heatwave starting Wednesday after a brief respite from recent sweltering heat, with forecasters predicting a record-breaking summer. [2] After a short period of relief, the intense heat that marked recent days is expected to return across Italy beginning Wednesday according to forecasters. [2] The same forecasters have issued an outlook for a record-breaking summer overall. [2] Italy is set to experience renewed high temperatures from Wednesday onward following the temporary break. [2] Forecasters have highlighted the potential for summer records to be set during this period of returning heat. [2]
Severe Weather Disrupts Sweden
Torrential rain and gale-force winds have battered large parts of Sweden, leading to cancelled trains on several routes. [3] Trains have been cancelled on multiple routes as heavy rainfall and strong winds continue to affect large areas of the country on Tuesday. [3] The combination of torrential rain and gale-force winds has prompted widespread service disruptions for rail travel across affected regions. [3] Large portions of Sweden faced ongoing impacts from the rain and winds that led directly to the train cancellations reported on Tuesday. [3]
U.S. Thunderstorm and Flood Alerts
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 9:30 AM CDT for parts of north central South Dakota including northwestern Edmunds County, southeastern Campbell County, southwestern McPherson County and northeastern Walworth County. [1] At 8:53 AM CDT a severe thunderstorm was located near Java, or 8 miles northwest of Bowdle, moving northeast at 25 mph. [1] A Flood Warning remains until 11:30 AM EDT for Fairfield County in southern Connecticut due to ongoing flooding from 3 to 5 inches of previous heavy rainfall. [5] The National Weather Service in Aberdeen issued the thunderstorm warning covering those specific counties in north central South Dakota with an expiration at 9:30 AM CDT. [1] The warned thunderstorm was positioned near Java at the stated time and tracked northeast. [1] In southern Connecticut the flood warning for Fairfield County extends until 11:30 AM EDT, with between 3 and 5 inches of rain already recorded and flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and low-lying areas ongoing. [5]
Broader Context of Global Summer Weather Extremes
The reported heat impacts in Spain coincide with Italy's forecast for renewed high temperatures from Wednesday and an anticipated record-breaking summer. [2] [4] Sweden experienced separate disruptions from torrential rain and gale-force winds that cancelled trains on several routes on Tuesday. [3] These events occur alongside active National Weather Service warnings for thunderstorms in South Dakota and flooding in Connecticut. [1] [5] Satellite monitoring through the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) places Spain's year-to-date wildfire burn area at around 56,000 hectares while MoMo tracks the associated mortality figures. [4] Forecasters in Italy link the upcoming heatwave to broader seasonal extremes. [2]
What to watch next: Italy's new heatwave is scheduled to begin Wednesday, the thunderstorm warning in South Dakota expires at 9:30 AM CDT, and the flood warning in Fairfield County remains in place until 11:30 AM EDT.
