February On Its Way To Break Every Record In History
High temperatures in the first weeks of February indicate that this is likely going to be the hottest February in the history of Madeira ever. This has been reported by the director of the Meteorological Observatory of Funchal of IPMA, Vitor Prior on 88.8 JFM radio.
January 2024 Previously Set An All-Time-Record
Previously, the month of January also set a record as the hottest in history. According to Vitor Prior, temperatures are now consistently above average, possibly influenced by climate change and El Niño. The successive breaking of temperature records is concerning. Vitor Prior hopes that this is not a lasting trend and that temperatures will stabilize in the coming months, as ongoing high temperatures are a massive problem to Madeira.
El Niño Climate Patterns Explained
El Niño is a climate pattern where the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator becomes unusually warm. This disrupts normal weather patterns. It can cause droughts in some parts of the world and increased rainfall and flooding in others. El Niño events happen irregularly every few years, and their intensity varies.
Why Climate Change Is Threatening Madeira More Than Other Regions
Madeira is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to several reasons:
Sea Level Rise: Low-lying coastal areas are at higher risk of flooding and erosion.
Extreme Weather: Increased frequency and intensity of storms, droughts, and heatwaves pose significant threats to infrastructure and agriculture.
Biodiversity Loss: Madeira's unique ecosystem is sensitive to temperature shifts and changing rainfall patterns, endangering endemic species.
Economic Impacts: Climate change disrupts tourism, a vital sector for Madeira, and strains resources like water and energy.
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