This [[dia]] there is in Spain [[alto_riesgo_muni]] municipalities in meteorological health zones with a high health risk due to heat, [[riesgo_medio_muni]] with an average risk and [[bajo_riesgo_muni]] with a low risk. That is, eight out of ten municipalities in the country are at risk this Thursday. This map shows the areas where the heat will reach a level that is dangerous to health, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Aemet (State Meteorological Agency).

Spain will be on our doorstep from Thursday the first heat wave of the summer. It is expected to affect most of the peninsula, except the northwestern quadrant and the Cantabrian area. The most affected areas on this day will be the southern half and the northeastern quadrant of the peninsula, where temperatures will generally exceed 38 degrees Celsius, according to Aemet.

An extreme episode of high temperatures is the most obvious manifestation of this the climate crisis caused by humans, mainly through the combustion of fossil fuels.

Although these are common events in the summer, the conclusion is clear: this is not the usual heat when comparing the historical data of these heat waves in Spain. Because the waves they are becoming more and more sustainable -they are increasing at a rate of three days per decade-, more extensive -on average they affect three more provinces every decade- and more intense -0.27 degrees Celsius more every decade-. Aemet is responsible for collecting this data. And also for issuing heat wave warnings (the warning that starts this Thursday is expected to last until Saturday).

Health risks

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Heat has direct effects on the health of the population. In reality, mortality is increasing. A team from the Carlos III Health Institute has calculated the maximum temperatures at which the number of deaths increases in a statistically significant way for the so-called meteohealth zones (territorial areas formed by different municipalities that are homogeneous in terms of temperature behavior). . Within each province there are several meteohealth areas. In total, trigger temperatures have been calculated for 182 of these zones.

Dividing the country into meteohealth regions is not something optional. Within the same province, there can be differences of more than 11 degrees Celsius in the maximum temperature from which the number of deaths shoots up. This is the case of Lugo: the established limit for the A Mariña area, on the northern coast, is 25.5 degrees; while in the south of the province it is set at 37.1 degrees.

This work has led to the establishment the new risk level map for health through meteorological health zones, updated every morning by the Ministry of Health and transmitted to the autonomous communities so that they can take preventive measures, especially among the populations most likely to suffer the consequences.

The system distinguishes three levels of danger: level 1 (low risk), level 2 (medium risk) and level 3 (high risk). To calculate this, the expected temperatures for the next 72 hours and how close they will be to the heat mortality thresholds are taken into account.

This [[dia]]there is [[alto_riesgo_zonas]] level 3 meteo health zones and [[riesgo_medio_zonas]] at level 2 in Spain. The most affected community is Aragon, with four of the five areas at high risk: Centre of Huesca, south of Huesca, Ribera del Ebro of Zaragoza and Baja Aragon of Teruel. In Catalonia, they are also at level 1 Fronto de Girona; in La Rioja, Ribera del Ebro; in the Valencian Community, south coast; and in Navarra, Ribera del Ebro.

The temperature in the coming days

In the table you can view the Aemet forecast in your municipality and see whether the risk threshold of the meteohealth area in which it is located is expected to be exceeded.

Having a health warning system for high temperatures is key to preventing the population. Spain first activated such a national plan in the summer of 2004. It did so after the deadly summer of the previous year. Twenty years later, the notices have been updated and refined: until this season, they were provincial.

Tips

But what should you do (and not do) if you are faced with an episode of high temperatures? Here are some tips from the Ministry of Health:

1. Drink water and fluids regularly, even if you are not thirsty and regardless of the physical activity you do.

2. Avoid drinks containing caffeine, alcohol, or very sugary drinks, as these can promote dehydration.

3. Eat light meals that help replace the salts lost through sweat (salads, fruits, vegetables, juices…).

4. Stay in cool, shady or heated places for as long as possible and cool down when necessary.

5. Try to reduce physical activity and avoid outdoor sports in the middle of the day.

6. Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing.

7. Never leave anyone in a parked and locked vehicle (especially minors, the elderly, or people with chronic illnesses).

8. Consult your doctor if symptoms persist for more than an hour and may be related to a high temperature.

9. Store your medicines in a cool place because heat can change their composition and effects.

10. Pay special attention to babies and minors, infants and pregnant women, as well as to the elderly or people with diseases that could be aggravated by heat (such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cancer, pathologies that hinder mobility, dementia and other mental disorders, as well as drug or alcohol abuse).