Desert Heat Reaches Alicante: A Dana in Southern Spain Brings Saharan Air to the Province

Alicante is bracing for desert-like climate conditions. The week is expected to bring high temperatures, according to Jorge Olcina, director of the Climatology Laboratory and professor of Regional Geographic Analysis at UA, especially between Thursday and Saturday.

The peak temperatures are anticipated over the weekend due to the influx of Saharan air into Alicante province. A weather phenomenon known as a "dana" in the south of the peninsula, between the Canary Islands and the Gulf of Cadiz, will carry this warm air mass along the Mediterranean coast.

"As Alicante is on the eastern side of the action, we receive the very warm Saharan air," notes Jorge Olcina about the phenomenon. "It will be a week more typical of late July and early August."

In this regard, the professor details that coastal municipalities in the province, such as the city of Alicante, will exceed 30 degrees during these days, while inland regions will record 37 and 38 degrees.

This increase in temperatures, already rising due to an anticyclone located in the Azores, will intensify further as the week progresses with the arrival of Saharan air.

Minimum temperatures will also rise, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). They will increase during this episode "but more slowly and less intensely," remaining above 20 degrees on Thursday and Friday.

The director of the UA Climatology Laboratory, Jorge Olcina, points to climate change as the context for these phenomena. "Weather changes are becoming more abrupt," shifting from cold and rain to scorching heat in a short period.

The professor also emphasizes that May has become a regular month for such climatic contrasts. The province will experience this during the week, with an "intense" arrival of Saharan air that will push temperatures to summer-like levels.