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Date Published: 19/12/2024

Murcia hasn't experienced a true cold snap in more than a decade

The experts are forecasting a very dry, warm Christmas and New Year throughout the Region of Murcia

There’s a definite wintery feel to the air this week, particularly at night and in the early mornings, but although we’re edging towards the end of the year, daytime temperatures throughout the Region of Murcia remain in the very pleasant and balmy 20s.

It should come as no surprise then to learn that 2024 has been the warmest on record in the Region, and it’s shaping up to be the hottest ever in several other parts of Spain as well.

This side-effect of climate change may be welcomed by holidaymakers but the State Meteorological Agency in Murcia is taking a dimmer view of the warm weather.

According to Juan Esteban Palenzuela, the Region hasn’t experienced a true cold snap since 2023 and in the last decade, only "normal, warm years have been recorded, but most of them very warm or extremely warm."

These records confirm "the increase in temperatures in recent decades," the meteorologist stressed.

This warming trend began right at the start of the year and continued until the normal sweltering summer, when the thermometers registered a boiling 44.2ºC in Alhama de Murcia on August 1.

Rainfall was scarce at the start of 2024, with spring continuing in the same vein. However, June broke this pattern with several episodes of heavy rainfall, leading to a fairly wet summer overall. Despite this, the Region's two-year drought continued without a significant break.

October brought a dramatic shift with a flood on October 28, recording 151 litres per square metre at the Aemet station in Fuentes del Marqués in Caravaca de la Cruz.

"It was an exceptionally wet October, with amounts well above normal in the Northwest," Mr Palenzuela confirmed.

This autumn has been the wettest of all time in the Region of Murcia, with an average rainfall of 102.5 litres/m². But while it might have been dreary and damp, the season still averaged 19ºC, making it "extremely warm," though not as warm as the record-breaking temperatures of 2022 and 2023.

Northern areas, including Vega Alta, much of Campo de Cartagena and Guadalentín, experienced warmer than normal temperatures in November, with the peak heat recorded on September 13, when the mercury in Murcia city centre reached a sweltering 37.9ºC.

So far, there have been no frosts to speak of; rather, the Region has seen between 12 and 21 tropical nights (above 20ºC) each month.

A very warm Christmas

As the year winds down, Murcia is experiencing a 'thermal roller coaster' in December. The month started with unusually warm temperatures, but it has also seen very cold days, with night-time temperatures dropping below zero in large parts of the Region.

The month is expected to end on a warm note, with temperatures predicted to rise well above 20ºC later this week.

Looking ahead, the Christmas season in Murcia is forecast to be dry and warm, with no rain expected and temperatures slightly above normal, again surpassing 20ºC on average.

Juan Esteban Palenzuela has predicted a similar weather pattern for the start of the New Year, with no major changes expected in terms of rain or sudden temperature drops.

Find all the latest weather and climate change news here or join our Murcia Weather Watch Facebook group for regular updates

Image: Archive

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