Cuba reached a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius for the second time in its history this Tuesday, just a month apart from the first occurrence. The record was set in the municipality of Bolivia, in the province of Ciego de Ávila, according to sources from the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) of Cuba.
Specialist Bryam Pérez Valdés detailed on Facebook that the automatic weather station located in this municipality in Ciego de Ávila recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius on the afternoon of May 14. Additionally, weather stations in the province located in Primero de Enero and Falla registered 37.8 and 36.8 degrees, respectively.
Besides Ciego de Ávila, other provinces in the country also recorded high temperatures this Tuesday. The weather station in Camagüey broke its maximum temperature record for the second time in May, reaching 37.3 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 37.0 degrees set on May 11.
Similarly, Villa Clara has recently broken its own temperature records.
Impact of Heatwave Amid Power Outages
The dramatic aspect of these temperatures is that they occur amid ongoing power outages that have left Cubans desperate. With more than a month remaining before the official start of summer, the energy situation only seems to worsen.
On April 11, the weather station in Jucarito, in the province of Granma, set an absolute maximum temperature record in Cuba, reaching 40.1 degrees Celsius. This was the first time since meteorological records began that a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius was reported in Cuba.
This value surpassed the previous maximum record of 39.7 degrees, set on April 12, 2020, at the weather station in Veguitas, also in Granma province.
According to the Climate Center of the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET), March 2024 has been the warmest in Cuba, based on the highest recorded temperature.
Last year, temperatures also saw an increase, with July 2023 becoming the hottest month in Cuba since 1951. During that period, the average temperature was 29.1 degrees Celsius, surpassing even the 29.04 degrees of August 2020, one of the warmest months in recent years. The average temperature stayed above 29 degrees, reaching a peak of 29.76 on July 17.
In July 2023, 17 maximum temperature records were set in Cuba.
According to studies by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), projections for the country in the face of global warming effects predict that the annual average temperature will rise by more than one degree Celsius by 2030 and by 3.5 degrees by 2070, using the period 1961-1990 as a reference.
These estimates exceed the 1.5-degree increase established by the international community to combat climate change, a limit set in the Paris Agreement to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of global climate variation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Recent Temperature Records
In light of Cuba reaching 40 degrees Celsius for the second time in its history, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide more context and information.
What was the highest temperature ever recorded in Cuba?
The highest temperature ever recorded in Cuba is 40.1 degrees Celsius, set on April 11, 2023, at the weather station in Jucarito, Granma province.
Where was the recent 40 degrees Celsius temperature recorded in Cuba?
The recent 40 degrees Celsius temperature was recorded in the municipality of Bolivia, in the province of Ciego de Ávila, on May 14, 2024.
How does global warming affect Cuba's temperatures?
Global warming is causing an increase in Cuba's annual average temperature. Projections indicate that by 2030, the average temperature will rise by more than one degree Celsius, and by 2070, it will increase by 3.5 degrees, compared to the period 1961-1990.