Spain begins this March 1 to the meteorological spring after having experienced his second consecutive winter without any cold wave. Although this phenomenon is not unpublished, experts warn that the trend towards warmer winters in recent years is a clear sign of climate change, EP reports.
One of the main consequences of absence of cold is the increase in pestsas highlighted by the Aemet. In addition, the president of the National Federation of Communities of irrigators (Fenacore), Juan Valero de Palma, has warned about the Danger of late frosts damaging crops if they bloom before time due to the unusual winter heat. Valero has urged to “rethink” Hydraulic policy of the country, given the increase in irregularity in rains and climatic variability.
Meteorological winter in Spain has spread between December 1 and February 28, coinciding with the temporary division of the year: the weather spring goes from March 1 to May 31, the summer from June 1 to August 31 and the fall from September 1 to November 30. These periods are based on the annual temperature and calendar cycle, allowing meteorologists to study climate trends with greater precision. As explained Eltiempo.es, These periods are based on the annual temperature cycle and the calendar, instead of the earth’s trip around the sun. They have more similarities in terms of weather, which allows meteorologists to analyze climatic trends more orderly and predictable.
He Aemet spokesman, Rubén del CampoHe has confirmed that this winter has ended without cold waves, becoming the second consecutive without any. However, he recalled that this phenomenon is not new, citing other similar sequences, such as those of the INVIENES 1997-1998, 2000-2001 and 2013-2014. In addition, Del Campo stressed that only one of the last ten winters had lower than normal temperatures (2017-2018), while five were very warm and three warm. The current winter will also be classified as warm or very warm, which reinforces the alert about climate change.
Although the lack of cold waves has some positive consequences, such as the reduction of deaths related to low temperatures and lower heating consumption, it also brings negative effects. The absence of frost makes it difficult to control certain pests, and some crops, in particular the fruit treesThey need winter cold hours to ensure adequate flowering and maturation. If this process is advanced, the risk of late frosts could destroy the fruits.
Mar Gómez, Eltiempo.es meteorologist, explained that for a cold wave, At least 10% of weather stations must show minimal temperatures lower than 5% percentile for three consecutive days. Although there have been cold days, no cold wave has been recorded this winter. Gomez also highlighted the global increase in temperatures, which has reduced the frequency and intensity of cold waves, which has caused increasingly soft winters.
Samuel Biener, from Meteored, added that Cold waves are now less intense, more spaced and shorter, which affects the winter season. In some areas, this has increased pollen levels, as the conditions resemble spring. Besides, The snow is becoming more scarce and irregular, What will have consequences in the amount of water available in the rivers, since snow is essential for supply.