This area has experienced the least amount of rainfall, by far, over the past five months. The hydrological year began in October 2023 and has been marked by extreme weather patterns, according to Víctor Ruiz Álvarez, a geography professor at the University of Sevilla. He explained that the Region has been experiencing a rollercoaster of extreme rainfall and dry spells since the spring of 2022.
The main cause of the drought is the prevailing west winds, which have brought little rain to the Region due to the blocking force of the Baetic mountain range. This has resulted in a significant decrease in rainfall in certain areas, such as the triangle formed by Sierra de Cabrera, Guadalentín and Cabo Tiñoso in Cartagena.
Arroyo Frío, in Jaén, has received the most rainfall locally, with 751 litres per square metre falling since October. However, just 120 kilometres away, Pozo de la Higuera in Lorca has been doused by just 4.9 litres, making it one of the driest places in Europe.
Other nearby areas, such as El Portús, Águilas and Pulpí, have also experienced extremely low levels of rainfall. That’s because coastal and pre-coastal mountain systems in the Region, including the Almenara and Moreras mountain ranges, have created a barrier that prevents storms from reaching these parts, resulting in even drier conditions.
Today, the most affected areas are Campo de Cartagena and Valle del Guadalentín.
Mr Ruiz Álvarez warns that global warming is causing an increase in the frequency of dry spells in the region, with the wettest periods becoming shorter and more intense. The current period of lack of rain is not yet the driest the Region has ever known, but it is the start of the driest hydrological year in the basin of the Segura River since records began.
The longest and most intense period of drought in the Region of Murcia occurred between October 2013 and November 2016, and experts fear that the current drought could become equally severe. To mitigate the situation, a pocket of cold air in the form of DANA, which can bring precipitation to the area, would be necessary.
Residents and farmers in the Region are, of course, feeling the effects of the drought. Parched fields are producing smaller and smaller harvests, pushing prices up and agricultural workers to breaking point.
“The next few months will determine the magnitude of this drought, especially due to the behaviour of spring, which we hope will be wet as in recent years,” the scientist concluded.
To be listed on the CAMPOSOL TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
To be listed on the CONDADO TODAY MAP please call +34 968 018 268.
Guidelines for submitting articles to Camposol Today
Hello, and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event.
Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia, providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area, which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia.
When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today, please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible:
Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com
Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc
Include all relevant points, including:
Who is the organisation running the event?
Where is it happening?
When?
How much does it cost?
Is it necessary to book beforehand, or can people just show up on the day?
…but try not to exceed 300 words
Also attach a photo to illustrate your article, no more than 100kb
Welcome To
Visit Lorca Castle.Click Here
