AEMET confirms potential for very high temperatures on Monday

Saturday 10th July 2021 – Compiled by MIKE SMITH

The state meteorological agency AEMET has issued an ORANGE level risk alert for very high temperatures across the Marina Alta on Monday in which there is the potential for maximum temperatures to reach 40°c in some places in the region, although it is expected that this figure is unlikely to be reached on the coast. The warning is valid from 1.00pm on Monday 12th July until 10.00pm on the same day.

Tips for Beating the Heat

1. Stay hydrated. Water will keep your body cool and should be drunk even if you’re not feeling thirsty. Steer clear of sugary soft drinks which actually reduce your body’s ability to store water. In addition, alcohol, coffee and other caffeinated drinks should be avoided as they are all natural diuretics.
   
2. Stay out of the sun. Avoid activities in the middle of the day and try to limit exposure to the sun between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Use the right sunscreen protection when outside for a long duration – SP30 would be the best option – and reapply often, especially if you have been swimming or sweat a lot.
   
3. Stay in the shade. If you are outside for a long time during the hottest part of the day, try and use any shade as much as possible. Whilst the actual air temperatures isn’t going to reduce, sitting out of the sun can make it feel a lot cooler, especially if there is a breeze.
   
4. Spray water on your skin. Not everyone has the luxury of jumping into a swimming pool to keep cool but you can fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the fridge so that when you feel like you’re overheating, you can spray a fine mist of cold water over your face and body to cool down.
   
5. Dress to stay cool. Light, loose-fitting clothes will help you to keep cool. Cotton and linen clothes are better, synthetic clothing tend to trap moisture, such as sweat, and stick to your body, making you feel quite uncomfortable. Make sure your head is covered when in direct sunlight and a wide-brimmed hat that covers not just the top of your head but also your ears and back of your neck is the best option; baseball caps are not.
   
6. Close curtains and blinds. The natural thing to do when it’s a beautiful sunny day is to open all the windows and doors to let in the light and the breeze. However, this doesn’t stop the sun’s heat from entering the house and it is recommended to close curtain and blinds during the hottest part of the day to keep that temperature down.
   
7. Use fans to cool down. Fans can help you keep cool by continuously circulating the air in your home or office. Placing a bowl of cold water in front of the fan can help to reduce the temperatures, a home-made ‘swamp cooler’, but this won’t work if it is humid too. Air conditioning can ramp up the electricity bills but using it efficiently and in the areas where you spend most of the time will help improve comfort in a hot house without adding too much to the monthly invoice. Failing that, visit public buildings that have air conditioning such as the library, or browse a little extra in the freezer section of the local supermarket.