Valencia Hits 44°C on Last Day of Extreme Heat
Valencia experienced extremely high temperatures this week, with the thermometer reaching 44°C. This was one of the hottest days of the year in the region.
Thirteen regions across Spain received official heat alerts because of the dangerous conditions. The Valencian Community was placed under a red alert, the highest level of warning used by Spain's meteorological agency.
A red alert means that the heat poses a serious risk to people's health, especially for older people, children, and those with health problems. Authorities usually advise people to avoid going outside during the hottest hours.
Valencia and Alicante recorded the highest temperatures in the country. According to reports, this was the last day of the intense heatwave that has affected the area recently.
Forecasters said temperatures are expected to drop significantly after this final day of extreme heat. In some areas, the fall could be as much as 10 degrees, bringing much-needed relief to residents.
Heatwaves like this one have become more common in Spain in recent years, and authorities continue to remind the public to stay hydrated and protected from the sun during periods of extreme heat.
Vocabulary10 words
- heat alerts
- official warnings about dangerous hot weather
- red alert
- the most serious level of danger warning
- meteorological agency
- an organisation that studies and reports the weather
- heatwave
- a long period of very hot weather
- forecasters
- people who predict future weather
- relief
- a feeling of comfort after something difficult ends
- hydrated
- having enough water in your body
- residents
- people who live in a place
- conditions
- the state of the weather or environment
- risk
- a chance of danger or harm
Quiz
Answer key
1. 44°C 2. A serious risk to people's health from heat 3. Up to 10 degrees
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Valencia experienced extremely high temperatures this week, with the thermometer reaching _____. This was one of the hottest days of the year in the region.
Thirteen regions across Spain received official _____ because of the dangerous conditions. The Valencian Community was placed under a _____, the highest level of warning used by Spain's meteorological agency.
A red alert means that the heat poses a serious _____ to people's health, especially for older people, children, and those with health problems.
Valencia and _____ recorded the highest temperatures in the country. According to reports, this was the last day of the intense _____ that has affected the area recently.
Forecasters said temperatures are expected to _____ significantly after this final day of extreme heat. In some areas, the fall could be as much as _____ degrees.
Heatwaves like this one have become more common in Spain in recent years, and authorities continue to remind the public to stay _____ and protected from the sun.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced extreme heat like this? How did you cope with it?
- Why do you think heatwaves are becoming more common in some countries?
- What advice would you give to someone during a red heat alert?
- Do you think governments should do more to protect people during extreme weather events?