Europe's February Heatwave Shatters Records in Spain and France
The end of winter brought an extraordinary and unseasonable heatwave across much of Europe, with northern Spain and south-west France experiencing particularly dramatic temperature spikes that shattered long-standing February records. This meteorological event has drawn significant attention from climate analysts and weather trackers.
Record-Breaking Temperatures Documented
Numerous cities across the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the Basque Country matched or exceeded their historical February temperature benchmarks. On Wednesday, Bilbao recorded a remarkable 27.1°C, while San Sebastián reached an even higher 27.6°C. These figures represent temperatures more than 13°C above the average expected for this time of year, highlighting the extreme nature of this warm spell.
The peak temperature of this event was observed on Tuesday in Saint Gladie, located at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains. Here, the mercury soared to an astonishing 29.6°C, which is a staggering 16°C above the seasonal average. This reading also surpassed the previous highest February temperature at that station by a significant margin of 2.6°C.
Meteorological Drivers Behind the Warmth
The widespread warmth across western Europe was primarily driven by a large area of high pressure that developed over central Europe. This weather system facilitated the flow of southerly winds across the region, transporting warmer air masses northward. The situation was further intensified by a specific meteorological phenomenon known as the Föhn effect.
The Föhn effect occurs when air is forced to ascend over a mountain range. As it descends on the leeward side, it compresses and warms significantly, becoming much drier in the process. This effect contributed to the enhanced temperatures observed in northern Spain and south-west France, amplifying the already elevated heat from the southerly winds.
Continued Unseasonable Warmth Forecast
After a brief reduction in temperatures over the weekend, forecasters predict that further unseasonably warm conditions will persist across much of Europe this week. High pressure is expected to remain dominant over the continent, maintaining the flow of warm air. Temperatures are projected to widely reach into the teens and low 20s Celsius, often sitting 5-10°C above the average norms for early March.
Contrasting Weather in East Asia
Meanwhile, in a stark contrast to Europe's heatwave, north China's Hebei province activated a level 4 emergency response on Sunday in anticipation of heavy snowfall. Forecasts indicated significant snow accumulation of 10-20cm from Sunday into Monday, accompanied by blizzard conditions that could disrupt transportation networks and urban services.
This heavy snowfall system was then expected to move eastwards, affecting much of South Korea on Monday. The precipitation is attributed to a low-pressure system passing south of Jeju Island. The Gangwon region's Yeongdong area is anticipated to receive the heaviest snow due to easterly winds, with accumulation potentially continuing into Tuesday at rates up to 5cm per hour. Mountainous areas in Gangwon could see 10-30cm of snow, with localized amounts reaching up to 40cm.
In the Seoul metropolitan area, temperatures were forecast to drop to around 0°C, with rain likely transitioning to snow. A further temperature decline is expected later in the week, bringing an additional risk of rain and snow across the nation by Friday.
