May started with elevated temperatures across much of the country, and the town of Veguitas, in the province of Granma, reported a scorching record of 37.1 degrees Celsius this Sunday, as reported by the Institute of Meteorology of Cuba (INSMET).
Throughout the Sunday, maximum temperatures ranged between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius in several Cuban locations. The increase in heat was accompanied by higher humidity levels in the atmosphere, reaching up to six kilometers high, due to the influence of an upper-level trough over the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula.
In parallel, isolated rains were reported in the interior and the north of the country, with the most significant accumulation in Varadero, Matanzas, where 32.6 millimeters were recorded, according to the report released by the government portal Cubadebate.
Veguitas, in the municipality of Yara, is one of the hottest places in Cuba and has held several national records for maximum temperature in the country.
However, the weather station in Jucarito, located in the municipality of Río Cauto, also in the eastern province, recorded on April 11, 2024, the absolute record for maximum temperature in Cuba, of 40.1 degrees Celsius.
In the following month, on May 14, the automatic weather station located in the municipality of Bolivia, in the province of Ciego de Ávila, recorded a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with an average global surface temperature that exceeded the average of the period 1850-1900 by 1.55 °C.
One of the key factors contributing to these excessive temperatures was the warming of the oceans, which not only impacts marine ecosystems but also intensifies extreme weather events and raises sea levels.
The WMO noted that the last 10 years have been the warmest ever recorded, reflecting a concerning trend.
2023 was the hottest year in Cuba since 1951, reported the Climate Center of the Institute of Meteorology, as a temperature of 1.38 degrees Celsius above the historical average for that variable was recorded.
The intense heat, high humidity, and low likelihood of rain in various areas create a stifling start to the month for Cubans, with soaring thermal sensations and summer 2025 yet to begin. This is all occurring amidst a critical energy landscape marked by fuel shortages, constant breakdowns of thermoelectric plants, and prolonged blackouts that leave homes in the dark for most of the day across nearly the entire country.
Frequently asked questions about high temperatures in Cuba
What was the highest temperature recently recorded in Cuba?
In the province of Granma, specifically in the locality of Veguitas, a temperature of 37.1 degrees Celsius was recorded. This value was reached on Sunday, May 11, according to the report from the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET).
Why are temperatures rising in Cuba?
The increase in temperatures in Cuba is due to several factors, including global warming and ocean warming, which intensify extreme weather phenomena. Moreover, the influence of an upper-level trough over the Gulf of Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula has increased atmospheric humidity, contributing to extreme heat in the region.
How is the energy crisis affecting the situation of high temperatures in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba exacerbates the extreme heat situation, as the country faces fuel shortages, outages in thermoelectric plants, and extended blackouts. This leaves citizens without access to proper ventilation and cooling, increasing the heat index and the risk of heat-related health issues.
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