Costa del Sol News: Driest year in Malaga city since records began

Malaga is about to break a new record, as 2019 is on track to become the driest year in the capital in almost 80 years. To date, rainfall registered at the meteorological station at Malaga airport marks 181.2 litres per square metre, around 344 litres below average.

Since official records began in 1942, the State Meteorological Agency hasn’t registered a year as dry as the current one. Rainfall is still far below the driest year in Malaga capital to date, when 267 litres fell per square metre in 1985.

The forecast for December so far isn’t predicted to remedy the situation. Head of Prediction at the Meteorological Centre, José María Sánchez-Laulhé has assured that 2019 has a big possibility of officially being Malaga’s driest year. He explained that he remained hopeful but, that considering the prospects of rainfall for the month, it would be very difficult to exceed the current record. The meteorologist added that according to seasonal models, rain in Malaga city would be lower than usual.

This year, September was the wettest month, with most of the water falling on September 14. The heavy rain saw DANA forced to activate a red level warning and around 60 litres fell per square metre at the airport. The weather caused numerous incidents in the capital and floods in neighbouring towns such as Alharín El Grande, Villanueva del Trabuco and Archidona.

Another rainy month was April with some showers during Easter celebrations. October only saw 5 litres of rainfall per square metre and is highlighted as the ninth warmest month of the Century, with temperatures 1.3 degrees Celsius above the normal values.