In March 2023 the Iberian Peninsula has experienced drier than average conditionsthus giving a favorable situation for the forest fires such as those that occurred in Asturias last week, according to data extracted from the latest monthly bulletin of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).
This body has determined that the fire in Spain has devastated some 41,500 hectares of forest area in the first quarter of the year. The cumulative burned area for 2023 is more than 5 times higher than the 2006-2022 average.
On the other hand, Copernicus has reported that March has been the second hottest globallywith above-average temperatures over an extensive strip of land covering North Africa, southwestern Russia and most of Asia, where numerous new temperature records in this month.
The document details that last month there were temperatures above average in southern and central Europe, and below average in most of the north of the Old Continent. Well-above-average temperatures were also recorded in northeastern North America, Argentina and neighboring countries, much of Australia, and coastal Antarctica, while it was much colder than average in western and central North America.
Variations recorded thanks to various bulletins
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), implemented through the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts on behalf of the European Commission with EU funds, publishes monthly climate bulletins that report on the variations registered in the air temperature on the surface, the sea ice cover and the hydrological variables worldwide.
All results are based on computer generated analysis using billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations Worldwide.
The bulletin also offers data on the sea ice situation in March 2023 and reveals that its extension in the Antarctica was the second lowest for a month of March in the satellite data record, when placing a 28% below averageafter the record minimum extension set in February.
Sea ice concentrations were well below average in all sectors of the Southern Ocean. Besides, the Arctic sea ice cover stood a 4% below averagewhich is the fourth lowest reading for a month of March since satellite records have been available, although it was also close to the three lowest.
In contrast to the mostly below-average sea ice concentrations in other parts of the Arctic Ocean, concentrations were well above average in the Greenland Sea.
“After a record low extent in February, Antarctic sea ice marked its second lowest extension for the month of March within the 45-year satellite data set, thus continuing the long-term trend of declining sea ice in the polar regions. Climate monitoring is essential to understanding these rapid and continuous changes at both poles,” said C3S Deputy Director Samantha Burgess.
The Iberian Peninsula, among the driest areas
As for the rainyMarch 2023 was wetter than average in a west-northeast band across northern Europe and over Turkey. Outside of Europe, March 2023 was wetter than average in parts of the United States, several regions of Asia, the Horn of Africa, New Zealand, northern Australia, parts of southern Africa, and Brazil. In many regions, heavy rainfall caused flooding.
Among the regions that experienced drier conditions than the average for the past month contained most of the Iberian Peninsula (where there were favorable conditions for forest fires such as those that occurred in Asturias last week), the alpine arcparts of Central Europe, the eastern balkans and the northwestern coast of the Caspian Sea.
March was also drier than average in Argentinawhere he suffered a persistent drought, as well as in southern Australia, southwestern Africa, and parts of Asia. In many cases, these conditions were associated with warmer than average temperatures.
What is Copernicus?
copernicus is a component of European Union Space Program funded by the EU. This is its flagship Earth observation program, which operates through six thematic services: atmosphere, seas, land, climate change, security and emergencies.
