Malaga heatwave: 'Like opening oven door' as temperatures hit 40C

Living and working in Malaga, Spain, has become a significant challenge as temperatures soar to 40C, with one resident describing the experience as akin to "opening an oven door." Emily Allen, an Irish woman who has resided in Spain for 25 years, detailed the harsh conditions exacerbated by the 'Terral' wind, a hot, dry wind that blows from the west, intensifying the heat.

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It's also the fact that here we have the Terral wind, which is basically hot wind kind of blowing in your face the minute you walk outside, it's like opening an oven door.

Adding to the discomfort, Malaga is currently experiencing a Saharan dust haze, locally known as 'calima,' which has created a visible haze over the city. This combination of extreme heat and dust makes outdoor activities particularly unpleasant and potentially dangerous.

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So, it's all hazy at the moment.

"Malaga city centre, I mean, the peak here is about 40C and the inland kind of microclimates, I mean, I'm talking about like 15 minutes down the road, it's up to 44-45 degrees," Allen told RTÉ's News at One.

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Malaga city centre, I mean, the peak here is about 40C and the inland kind of microclimates, I mean, I'm talking about like 15 minutes down the road, it's up to 44-45 degrees.

The extreme weather is forcing a noticeable shift in daily routines and behaviors. Restaurants are seeing fewer patrons on their outdoor terraces, with most opting for air-conditioned interiors. Midday excursions, especially for tourists visiting historical sites, are now considered dangerous. This has led to a change in schedules for many, particularly those working outdoors in sectors like construction, as well as administrative staff.

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Basically, people have a different timetable at the moment, particularly people who work in the outdoors, construction, but also all the administrative staff.