Absolute maximum temperature record is broken in Cuba

This Thursday the Jucarito weather station, in the Granma province, implemented at 3:00 p.m.an absolute record for maximum temperature in Cuba by registering 40.1 degrees Celsius.

It is the first time since there have been meteorological records that a temperature higher than 40 degrees Celsius has been reported in Cuba.

This value exceedsthe maximum record that was in Cuba, which was 39.7°C, curiously also implemented on April 12, but in 2020, just four years ago.

In that case the record was established at the Veguitas meteorological station, also in the Granma province.

The Institute of Meteorology of Cuba (INSMET) detailed that"The increase occurred as a result of the marked influence of high pressures, in addition to other factors such as strong solar radiation and weak winds."

“This afternoon the weather conditions favored strong warming (great solar radiation, little cloudiness and weak winds) which resulted in the maximum temperature record for Cuba being broken”, explained meteorologist Ariel Maturell on Facebook.

The prelude to this new temperature record was reported the day before with 38.6 degrees Celsius also in Jucarito; and on March 17, with 38.9 degrees Celsius.

According to the Climate Center of the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET), March 2024 has been the warmest in Cuba when taking as reference the highest temperature recorded.

Last year temperatures also experienced an increase andJuly 2023 became the hottest month in Cuba since 1951.

During that period, an average temperature of 29.1 degrees Celsius was recorded, even higher than the 29.04 °C in August 2020, one of the warmest in recent years.

The average temperature remained above 29.0 degrees, reaching a maximum peak of 29.76 on the 17th.

In July 2023, 17 maximum temperature records were established in Cuba.

Other Cuban territories that show a tendency towards a marked rise in temperatures above their typical values these days are the towns of Veguitas, also in Granma; and Indio Hatuey, in Matanzas, with 39.3 degrees Celsius.

According to studies by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), projections for the country in the face of the effects of global warming predict that the increase in the average annual temperature will be above one degree Celsius in 2030 and will be 3.5 degrees. in 2070, taking the period 1961-1990 as a reference.

These estimates exceed the 1.5 established by the international community to combat climate change., an increase set in the Paris Agreement as a limit to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of global climate variation on the planet.