The splash fountains in Madrid’s Río Park along the Manzanares River opened a month early in April 2023 following a heat wave that saw mainland Spain record its hottest ever temperature for the month. A sizzling 38.8 C (101.8°F) – and it wasn’t even yet summer.
April’s searing heat was a prelude to an incredibly hot summer. Southern Europe grappled with record-breaking temperatures caused by a slow-moving anticyclone that trapped hot air in a “heat dome” to cause long-lasting and intense heat waves. Madrid endured three heat waves during the summer of 2023 with temperatures often exceeding 40°C (104°F).
Temperatures at these levels can be deadly. At 35°C (95°F) the body’s ability to regulate its internal temperature is compromised. This can result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and, ultimately, death. For instance, extreme heat killed more than 60,000 people in Europe during the summer of 2022. This issue is heightened as many homes, critical infrastructure and utilities – from power plants to hospitals – are not designed for these extreme temperatures.
It’s for this reason that Madrid City Council has turned to Zurich Spain and Zurich’s global risk consulting unit, Zurich Resilience Solutions (ZRS), to provide climate change analysis services and advice on how to adapt to these evolving conditions.