Hot nights not only prevent rest, but also directly influence health and mortality rates worldwide. This is the main conclusion of an international study led by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) that analyzed the effects of nighttime air temperature in 178 locations in 44 countries between 1990 and 2018. The research, carried out through research institutes in Catalonia, Galicia, and Andalusia, found a mortality rate of up to 3%.

The heat of the summer months can be a threat when consuming certain foods, and beyond considering hygiene conditions, it's necessary to pay attention to temperature. "From the perspective of food safety, the main problem in summer is the breaking of the cold chain in raw foods," explains José Juan Rodríguez, professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). According to him, several aspects must be taken into account.

Every summer, the beach leaves us with indelible memories. And, often, bumps, stings, or wounds are also part of the summer landscape. Most are minor and, with the intervention of lifeguards, heal in a few days. However, some require medical attention, especially if sharp objects are involved or strong gusts from jumping into the water or colliding with recreational boats. Pedro Pedralbes, director of the ENSSAP Lifeguard School, assures that "every day more interventions are carried out for cuts due to the debris that the sea washes up on the beaches," which has led to an increase in medical care on the beach.

Indigestion. Three words that return to beaches and pools every summer as warnings: "Don't go in yet" or "Wait a while." These expressions become almost a mantra, but they seem to disappear when the heat ends. The image is clear: a full stomach and, suddenly, a jump into the water that paralyzes the body. But how true is this?

For employees, it increases the risk of heat exhaustion and injuries, and, in the long term, neurological and cardiovascular diseases. For companies, it means more lost work hours, higher costs due to having to hire staff to cover overtime or sick leave, and even facing legal sanctions. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimate in a report published this Friday that two out of three workers worldwide are exposed to risks associated with extreme heat, and that this poses "new and growing challenges" in the workplace that must be urgently addressed.

Year after year, each summer is hotter than the last. The stifling temperatures mean we have to be increasingly careful with sun exposure. Montse Ciurana, a family doctor at the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) in Central Catalonia, explains that heat stroke occurs when, once we are exposed to very high temperatures, our temperature temporarily rises, which can cause everything from dizziness to vomiting. "However, we must differentiate between sunstroke and heat exhaustion: sunstroke occurs when we have been exposed to a lot of sun; heat exhaustion is more intense and has more side effects," explains Ciurana.

Although sitting on a terrace and drinking an ice-cold beer seems like an ideal way to cope with the stifling summer heat, it can actually be "counterproductive" if not done in moderation. This is the opinion of Emilio Salgado, the physician in charge of the Clinical Toxicology Unit at the Hospital Clínic in Barcelona. In fact, he recommends avoiding alcohol consumption when exposed to high temperatures.

Summer is synonymous with vacations, the beach, and relaxation, but also, often, with sweating. In recent years, torrid nights have become routine. Techniques such as creating air currents and walking through green spaces can help you avoid sweating as much during the day. But what should we do at night?

Rising temperatures in the context of a climate emergency, faster than scientists had predicted, are triggering a race to adapt cities. One of the challenges is to create the maximum number of climate shelters, mostly public spaces (libraries, museums, community centers, community centers) designed to protect the most vulnerable during times of extreme heat. As shelters, they must maintain a maximum temperature of 27 degrees, be easily accessible, have chairs or benches for sitting, and provide free water. However, they do not offer medical care, a service guaranteed only in health centers.

Temperatures reached their peak this Monday. At the height of the second heat wave of the summer in our country, temperatures have already surpassed the levels reached during the first, which occurred in early July, and for the first time this year, temperatures have exceeded 43°C in Catalonia. Specifically, in Vinebre, temperatures reached 43.8°C, which is not only the highest maximum temperature this summer but also the highest heat record in the 27 years of data from this Meteocat meteorological station.

The arrival of summer is inseparable from an unwelcome companion: sweat. With the heat, our body temperature rises, and to lower it, our glands secrete a fluid we call "sweat." To compensate for fluid loss and prevent dehydration, specialists recommend drinking more water. But how can we know if we're consuming enough?

The high temperatures this July have left 250 heat-related deaths in Catalonia. This is an average of eight deaths per day, and last month's figures already exceed those recorded during the entire summer of 2024, when 226 heat-related deaths were recorded in the country. These are data from the Ministry of Health's Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo).

If you think you get angry or stressed more easily during the summer, it's not just your feeling: there's a scientific basis behind it. In fact, studies show that when the temperature is higher, violent behavior increases: American football players and video game players are more aggressive and the number ofcriminal activity. In addition, heat more easily leads to self-destructive behavior and hasty decision-makingWhy does all this happen? Redolar.

Every year, with the arrival of high temperatures, it is necessary to prepare and prevent the adverse effects of heat:

Extreme temperatures are becoming increasingly prevalent in our country. For this reason, the Department of Health wants to raise public awareness about the dangers of heat and provide information on measures to combat high temperatures. Everyone should protect themselves, especially the most vulnerable, such as the elderly, children, outdoor workers, and people with health problems.

The Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) of the Carlos III Health Institute—the only tool that allows for a near-real-time snapshot of the deaths that occur daily in Spain—estimates that between May 16 and July 13, 300 people died in Catalonia from causes attributable to heat. In June, it is estimated that There were 55, and this July the figure has already risen to 245.

Not only have temperatures risen sharply this June, but so has sunshine, which has been 30% higher according to records from the Fabra Observatory. Data from the Meteorological Service of Catalonia show how the high solar irradiation has been three points above the historical average, with 342.5 hours of sunshine recorded, also a monthly record.

June was the warmest month on record, with temperatures four degrees above the 1991-2020 climate average, surpassing the previous record, set in June 2023. Nights reached 30°C in the Catalan capital.

The high temperatures hitting Barcelona have made the fan an indispensable ally, and ice-cold bottles of water have become one of the most coveted items among tourists. From early morning on, the thermometer rises above 30 degrees, and by afternoon it reaches dangerously close to 40 degrees. In places like the Sagrada Família, La Rambla, and Parc Güell, visitors are no longer looking for the best photograph, but rather for shade to escape the intense heat.

It's official. According to the Meteorological Service of Catalonia, we have experienced the warmest June on record in our house since records began. And these first few days of July haven't been short either. All of this has boosted sales of all kinds of fans.