Spain continues to experience unusually high temperatures for the season, with the country's weather agency predicting that the hot weather will persist in many parts of the country over the weekend. The unexpected warmth has transformed coastal areas into summer-like havens, as people flock to the beaches to sunbathe and even take winter swims.

According to the AEMET weather agency, the high temperatures affecting southern Europe are attributed to an anticyclone that has transported a hot air mass from further south. Additionally, the absence of cloud cover has further contributed to the increased temperatures.

Just last week, Spain and other European regions were hit by bitter cold weather and rainstorms, following freezing temperatures and snowfall in several parts of the country. However, this past week has witnessed record-breaking temperatures, the highest for this time of the year in over two decades, according to AEMET spokesperson Marcelino Nuñez. He noted that on Thursday, the town of Chelva in the interior eastern region recorded a temperature of 29.6 degrees Celsius (85 Fahrenheit).

This unseasonably warm weather has caused beaches from southwestern Cádiz to northeastern Barcelona to become bustling with activity, a sight usually associated with the summer months. People are taking advantage of the unexpected heatwave, soaking up the sun and enjoying outdoor activities usually reserved for the warmer seasons.

While it is not definitively confirmed that the current high temperatures can be attributed to the climate crisis without conducting proper studies, Nuñez stated that there is a growing trend of increasingly frequent periods of unusually high temperatures. Experts are linking these occurrences to climate change.

The spokesperson emphasized that climate estimates and long-term projections from the past 20 years have consistently warned of such phenomena becoming more frequent. As we witness this gradual shift towards hotter temperatures, the connection with climate change becomes increasingly apparent.

As Spain braces for continued warm weather over the weekend, authorities and the public alike are reminded of the need to adapt to these changing weather patterns and face the challenges posed by a shifting climate.