rains

The impressive impact of the rains, seen from space

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After a particularly dry years in which Spain was being put face to Sahara branch With zones severely affected for drought and A disastrous 2024this 2025 seems to have broken the streak. After a spring Exceptionally rainywith many Reservoirs showing good healthalthough The ghost of drought Still there, there is also optimism. 2024 He left exhausted fields In good part of the country. But 2025, at least for now, has given them a break. And that is something that we can see with a comparison in satellite view about Spanish reservoirs and fields. Bewilderment. This year’s spring is being a puzzle. The Azores anticyclone, a dorsal from central Europe and a continuous transfer of low pressures systems has contributed to A really strange situation With storms, some very intense, hail and rains. March has been one of the Rainy Since 1961, when records began to be taken. It is only behind 2018 and 2013, with rainfall in a generalized way, widely exceeding average values. In May too We have seen unusual storms And the big question is what will imply that for traditionally dry summers in many parts of the Peninsula. Certainties. What we know is that there are areas where this shadow of drought seems to have dissipated. There are points in which the authorities already They are raising drought restrictions And transvases are also prepared equivalent to twice the annual consumption throughout an autonomous community –The Tajo-Segura-. And an area in which it seems that optimism reigns is in eastern Catalonia. The region suffered a devastating drought between 2021 and 2024 that forced measures not to end the reservoirs. There were no certainties that it would have entered a ‘Megasquía‘, but of course the situation was worrying. What we can be sure is that, in view of satellite, vegetation, rivers, lakes and reservoirs have gained ground this year. Green outbreaks. Different Catalan regions are very evident examples. In the suquera dam we see not only green in general, but also that the dam and the river has regained lost ground. In Lleida, beyond the rotation of crops, more of the same. There are many other examples throughout the geography related to reservoirs and green areas around its surroundings. Obviating crops, irrigation and with rotation in some cases, in the images in which there are natural green areas we can see what they are … well, more green. In the case of Almendra reservoir in Salamancaalthough the reservoir occupies less space this year, the green areas are somewhat more ‘bright’. Valencia after the Dana. On October 29, the water razed localities of the East of Castilla-La Mancha-Letur- and, above all, Valencian territory and part of the Alicante. In the satellite comparison, we can see that green has taken over the panoramic view from space, but with an important counterpart. As they point in The Valencian mercantilethat green of the cultivation fields may be due to greater exuberance, but not of the crops, but of the “weeds” that flourish in abandoned terrain. The effect of the Dana on the Albufera is also notable, which received Much of the weight of dragged waste from the localities to the south of Valencia. Unequal. In spite of everything, the enthusiasm for rains in general has not reached A concrete area of ​​the country: the Southeast. Alicante this Above last year’s data, but without reaching the average of the last decade, Murcia has Orange/red reserves and Almería is another of the red lanterns. While Andalusia has registered Fantastic data, Almeria reserves are found around 11%. In satellite images we see that they have some green sprouts, but in general the capacity of their reservoirs is not at the level that it should and we see that this problem of Almería with water has become a situation chronicle. Now, although spring has been generous, summer will have the last word about whether we abandon the drought … or not. What is clear is that Satellite images are very different To what was captured in May two years ago, where green gave all the prominence to the Marrol. Images | Sentinel-2 Copernicus In Xataka | “Thank you so much, reservoirs.net”: Spanish men are developing a peculiar obsession with swamps

The allergic of Spain have been enjoying a truce for two months thanks to the rains. Now curves come

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We are in full spring and approaching the month of May. Or what is the same: the pollen season is thrown on us. Pollen is one of the main allergens and, in case this was not enough, The trend is growingthat is, more and more people suffer allergy to some type of pollen. An intense season. The experts They foresee an intense pollen season This spring. Although the weeks with the highest incidence of allergens are usually in the months of May and June, the meteorology can cause the first sneeze to catch more than one by surprise. Meteorology, an important factor. The rain is one of the most important factors When it comes to knowing whether or not they wait for us for days of sneezing. Primaveral rains can prevent the concentration of allergens in the environment, at least for a few days. And if there has been something in recent days (and the last months) is rain. Although in recent weeks we have not seen episodes of torrential rains, the possibility of an important increase in the concentration of pollen in the environment has been limited by rainfall. Looking back. However the relationship between moisture and pollen It is more complex that the simple “sweep” effect. The persistent rains of recent weeks may have protected us from early pollinators, but have also contributed to the accumulation of soil moisture and in the pollinating plants themselves. As Physicist José Miguel Viñas explains in Meteoredspring rains, situations like this, in which a rebound of temperatures follows a pause in the rains, pollen levels tend to shoot. The temperature another factor to take into account. And it is that the temperature is the other great determinant when providing the levels of allergens that will stalk us in the next few days and weeks. Many plants begin to wake up from their winter lethargy in the mid -winter and begin to accumulate energy. After a certain accumulation threshold, these plants can start the pollinating phase of their reproductive cycle. First notices. Thus, this week you can mark the beginning of the season for many allergic. According to The data of the monitoring of the atmosphere of Copernicus, this week some allergens will already emerge in some areas of Spain, especially In the south and in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. In the Peninsular South it will highlight the Olive Pollen. On Thursday and Friday in some areas of Andalusia we could see concentrations of more than 5,000 grains per m³ of this allergen. Throughout the week, concentrations of more than 100 grains/m³ will be common in the southern quadrant of the peninsula. The grass will be another allergen to take into account in the central and south, although with less important concentrations, below the 100 grains/m³. During the week an increase in birch pollen concentrations is also expected in the center and north of the Iberian Peninsula. The presence of this pollen will be especially noticeable in the northwest, in Galicia and west of Asturias, with concentrations that would exceed 100 grains/m³. The incidence would be moderate in the north third and in areas of Castilla y León. In Xataka | The time of the year in Japan has arrived where everyone has a mask. The fault is World War II Image | Copernicus

While Spain was pending the rains, something strange was happening with the polar vortex

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The meteorology of the month of March has been marked by the wave of storms that have left intense rains throughout the Iberian Peninsula. While many monitored attentive to the possibility that the channels overflow in their surroundings, in the high layers of the atmosphere there was an important phenomenon, the disruption of the polar vortex. New animation. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), The agency responsible for analyzing weather and weather in the United States, has shown us the disruption of the polar vortex occurred during last March. He has done it through a new animation in which the drastic changes can be seen The polar vortex. First of all, remember that Polar vortex It is an intense atmospheric current that transports cold air around the pole at stratosphere. In winter, the polar circle stops receiving sunlight so the air at the height of the stratosphere cools. In contrast, the warm air of sub -reliable areas continues to be tempered at these altitudes, which leads to expand north. The terrestrial rotation makes this pressure a powerful current of air that surrounds the pole in winter. Although the current is always active, it suffers important changes throughout the year. The first change is in intensity: it is during the winter months that the winds of this current reach greater force, reaching its middle peak towards the beginning of January. The second change is in the direction. Due to the inclination of the earth’s axis, approximately between spring and autumn, the current moves away from the pole to the torque that loses intensity because the sun enlightens the pole again, heating his stratosphere and reducing the contrast with lower latitudes. This implies that high latitudes the current stops moving from west to this but does it from this to west. When the vortex breaks. However, the current can suffer a sudden change, a disruption. These cases are usually due to sudden stratospheric warming in the pole. This “pushes” the current out. This is what happenedexplains the NOAA, last March 9: rapid stratospheric warming generated a disruption of the current that has led her to circulate in reverse and intense in high latitudes. Return to normal. If a disruption occurs during winter, it is common for the vortex to return to its usual circulation after one of these disruptions. If this disruption occurs during spring, it is likely that the circulation will pass to its summer shape, outside the pole. It can be expected, due to the dates, that the evolution of the vortex now takes it back to the average. Last year We saw a vortex disruption that reversed the dominant direction of the wind in early March, however the vortex recovered its direction and intensity of these dates before reversing its spring channel. Graph in which the speed and direction of the stratospheric wind is illustrated in the 60ºN latitude. The fine blue line marks the average evolution in the 1991-2020 period; while the thickness marks the evolution between 2024 and 2025. The shadow represents the variability observed and the pink forecasts. Laura Ciasto/NOA “Like an atmospheric diva. ” This year the models indicate that this will not be the case, which implies that we are facing the change in earlier in the records since 1958. This concludes the “season” of activity of the polar vortex, a season marked by a high intensity circulation and important volatility. A closure that has lived up to the season, according to NOAA. “For a good part of this winter season, the polar vortex has been strong, stretched, and not very interested in interacting with the troposphere. But like a real atmospheric diva, the polar vortex had a last ace in the sleeve, disintegrate in a spectacular way and bring with him some cold air,” NOAA itself explains in a piece in his blog dedicated to the polar vortex. And then what? In the result of all this is that the circulation of the vortex is now maintained in northern Europe and that can reach affect weather of the continent. How this arrival will depend on factors such as the interaction between this mass of air and the troposphere or what low latitudes could reach circulation in that month of April. In Xataka | It seemed impossible for the rains of March to be bad news for someone. Until the watermelons and melons arrived Image | NOAA

The rains have left a splendid Spain and a tourist destination is benefiting from it: the reservoirs

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“While the world wobbles, nature seems to want to compensate us.” This phrase of Jose Luis Gallego summarizes very well what is happening in the Spanish countryside. With full swamps and aquifers recharging, Spain is living “its most splendid spring in decades.” And that has an unexpected beneficiary: tourism. The many droughts in each drought. Galician explained in El Confidencial That, in broad strokes, there are three types of droughts: the meteorological (linked to the shortage of rainfall), the hydrological (which has to do with the water in the system. – rivers, swamps and aquifers) and the edaphic (which is related to the soil and its ability to provide the vegetation of the water it needs). The good news is that we have overcome all three and the land knows. It is no longer that the fields of Extremadura, Castilla or Andalusia are a show; It is that even the ugliest and dirty surroundings of any Spanish city are pretty. It is true that the wetlands plagued by birds and overflowers of vegetation are the areas where this “March miracle” It shows morebut even the most arid places are full of surprises. The Sea of ​​Castile. The best example can be seen in that corner between the provinces of Cuenca and Guadalajara that is usually known as “Mar de Castilla“. There are five reservoirs (Almoguera, Bolarque, Entrepeñas, Estramera and Zorita) in the Middle Tagus and one more (good day) in the Low Alcarria with a capacity of 2,515 hm³ and a tourist capacity that has lived better times. In the 60s, as consequences of the hydrological and developmental policies of the Franco regime, the region was filled with urbanizations, restaurants and small embarrassing. It became a tourist claim that improves infrastructure, first, and The Tajo-Segura transfer, afterthey put in a slow decline. The drought of recent years did the rest. However, with the rains of March, the Sea of ​​Castile It is back. How to turn water into gold. Just read the chronicles of the local press to verify that the residents of the riverside municipalities are really excited. Entrepeñas has only transferred water to good times eight times since 1956, The last almost 30 years ago; But this weekend it has happened again. The swamp has such a amount of water that you have been able to see really unprecedented images (or that had been not seen decades). He Runrun of the situation He has made “every day more curious who arrive at the riverside region to witness in the first person and immortalize with their cameras or with their mobile phones such an exceptional moment and who knows if unrepeatable.” The question that is asked in the Sea of ​​Castile is how much the situation will endure and if the Lcoal Tourism of it can be used. Although, in reality, it is a question that many more people are asked. Our country has more than 1,200 swamps and “almost double the fresh water coast than Marina in the country.” The reservoirs have historically been much more than water reserves: they have been tourist attractions that contributed to stop the demographic bleeding of emptied Spain. The problem is that, in recent decades, that interest has been falling little by little. And rural tourism has failed to fill the hole fully. Therefore, the councils of Cáceres, Lugo, Badajoz and the 530 municipalities associated with the Federation of Municipalities with Hydroelectric Plant and Embalses of Spain (15 communities and 46 provinces) have decided Bring Pantanos Tourism back. Upon? Indeed and with A very simple value proposal: Adventure activities (“Barranquismo, the paragliding or balloon walks”, “Boat routes or kayak, candle courses, sport fishing or paddle-south”, but also “horseway or bicycle routes, enjoy the observation of birds or practicing hiking”), proximity gastronomy and cultural, monumental and historical heritage. A new solution for a worrying problem. As We counted a few days agowhile in 2024 the hotels in Spain registered 7.5% more of foreign travelers, the speakers of Spanish tourists stagnate with a minimum rise of 0.2%. The price increase and the massification of the most important tourist areas are the main reasons for that break of national tourism. Therefore, now it is the least exploited areas that seek their part of a cake that grows 4.9% per year. And, seeing the photos of the country’s reservoirs, it makes a lot of sense. Image | Riaño, León (Paulo Valdivieso) | Pelayo Arbués | Eduardo Kenji Amorim In Xataka | Mass tourism has the days counted in Spain thanks to a phenomenon outside its control: extreme heat

Half of Catalonia has its contaminated aquifers. And the rains are the perfect excuse to do nothing

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In January of this year, the Catalan Agència de l’Aigua He updated his data on areas vulnerable to excess nitrates of agroganadera origin. The figures are a jug of cold water (and very polluted): 49.2% of Catalan municipalities They have contamination levels by nitrogen compounds above the legal. That is, 39.9% of the surface of Catalonia. It is a huge problem that does not stop growing, but that the rains of these weeks can end up making invisible. And, at a time when the Government began to be forced to take action, postponing them would be a difficult mistake. Doesn’t it stop growing? As Antonio Cerrillo explainedin 1998 “the percentage of municipalities cataloged with vulnerable area was 21.5%of the total; in 2004, the figure rose to 33.7%; in 2009 it reached 44.2%; in 2015 it was 44.5%.” It is true that some municipalities (three: Blanes, Cubells and Tavertet) have left the list because they have allowed the indicators; But, on the other hand, eight (Corbera d’Ebre, Gavet de la Conca, Jorba, Marçà, Pla de Santa Maria, Perelló, Ponts and Sant Sadurní d’Alcoia have entered). According to the Generalitat, the trend was stable, but “with a slight increase in nitrate pollution in certain areas.” Now the indicators will improve. There is no doubt about that. Above all, because a part of the problem was related to drought. The mechanism is simple: agribusiness contamination filters to the subsoil and there meets the huge aquifer system of the country. If there is a lot of water, those nitrates are diluted and the legal limits are not overcome. If there is not, the alarms jump. Right now, the Catalonia reserves They are at 76.46%, those in Barcelona are at 78.83%and those of Girona (the lowest) to 47.28%. Right now, while I write this, aquifers throughout the country are filling with water and, by pure logic, the situation will improve. However, the rest of the problems persist (or increase). Above all, because you have to keep in mind that those nitrates, Those purines They do not appear alone: ​​they are the result of hyperintensive models of agroganade exploitation. Models that base part of their profitability on Not having to put their negative externalities In the results account. And it is not a strictly Catalan problem (although it is true that it affects especially): according to the citizen network of nitrate measurement, almost 60% of Spanish underground waters is contaminated by nitrates and growing. The matter is such a caliber that also reaches reservoirs and evidences the country’s disastrous water management. In summer 2013, 161 municipalities in Castilla y León They discovered that had been drinking contaminated water for years without knowing it. It’s alone An example of the rosary of problems We have been seeing. All reflect and, above all, take action. Antonio Cerrillo saidthat the Generalitat “prepares an order to review the areas of the territory with groundwater contaminated by nitrates from livestock purines.” But the truth is that we always go with the foot changed. A good example was that of “Royal Decree that establishes rules for sustainable nutrition in agrarian soils“which was approved with more than three years of delay. The same three years that it took to transpose the”European Directive related to the quality of the waters for human consumption“It is our way of doing things. As we said days ago, March rains have given us a historical opportunity to save the country’s aquifers. But it will also give a victory (pyrrhic, but victory after all) to those who manage the problem they can use to leave us in worse situation we have. It’s not The first time what’s happening. Image | Copernicus | Scott Goodwill In Xataka | Spain has been overexpling its aquifers. March rains have given us the historical opportunity to save them

It seemed impossible for the rains of March to be bad news for someone. Until the watermelons and melons arrived

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The huge rains of March have left much of the field offside and, for weeks, the generalized response has been the country. It is not for less: in the whole of Spain 149 l/m² have been accumulated2.5 more than usual. The benefits are huge: they are not only full swamps; but the fields of cereal, vineyard, olive grove and nuts at their best and a sweet moment in sheep, goat and milk bovine. But there are also great harmed. Who can water go wrong? Paradoxically, many crops: some vegetables (from broccoli to lettuce), the strawberries of Huelva, the harvest of potatoes, legumes and, above all, to the melon and watermelon. Is it for floods? In large part yes. In Murcia, more than 5,000 hectares of vegetables have been flooded and in Almería crops have been affected (both outdoors and greenhouse). It is thus understood that, during all this time, root asphyxiation has been one of the great fears of farmers. In essence, we talk about A phenomenon that occurs when the roots of the plants do not receive enough oxygen. This usually occurs when there is an excess of water on the ground; And, in fact, it can happen even if the ‘flood’ lasts for a short time. However, there are problems beyond suffocation. A good example is the chickpea. In his case he has not suffocated because, in short, he has not even come to be planted in provinces such as Seville (which concentrates a third of national production). As the Secretary General of Coag Sevilla says in The debatethe chickpea has to be more than 100 days in the countryside and “this year, hopefully, will pass 60”. Even in the event that the meteorology accompanies, the chickpea campaign It will be very bad. And, in addition, it is inevitable because farmers cannot plant anything else: the norms of common agricultural policy They force them to plant a certain percent of its land with legumes. And then we have the humidity. The rain has caused moisture levels to shoot and, With themthe “proliferation of pests and diseases such as the Botrytis (caused by a fungus) or the Mildiu” (groups several diseases that damage stems and leaves) “that are rotting the kills. And what happens to melons and watermelons? Another different thing. In the case of these crops, the situation is “worrying” because the rains arrived in “The most delicate moment, pollination“This has significantly delayed production to the point that seems unfeasible that early watermelons can reach the market on their usual dates. The hope of the sector, As explained by COAGis that great production is rethink. If no unforeseen occurs, that would allow the market of late watermelons and melons with force. But, of course, everything depends on what happens in the next few days. It is worth remembering that in recent years, these two summer fruits have starred controversial for its high prices and distribution problems. All to do. The great unknowns are now two: What water management will allow hydrographic confederations and the rest of the administrations, on the one hand. And how flexible will be the European Union With the restrictions of phytosanitary products In a context climatic extreme. However, there are many more things on the table. Many more problems, many more opportunities. Above all, before The perspective that this is the new normality. Image | Towsend Walton In Xataka | Before the return of the rains to Spain, the field looks at the worried sky: there are dozens of crops with weeks late

The question is no longer whether the rains return or not. The question is what is happening this spring with the meteorology of Spain

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“Have you enjoyed the sun?” The meteorologist Roberto Granda asked Yesterday at noon. “Well, hurry, because from Tuesday afternoon the clouds and rain return to much of the country,” he continued and, effectively, it will be like that. In fact, from Wednesday to Friday, we will see enough rain in the west of the peninsula. But, of course, the key issue is no longer If the rain comes back or not. We have that clear. The key is what is happening this spring to meet all this rain. But, first of all, why don’t it rain now? Basically because during these last days an anticyclone has managed to close the hall of deep storms that had emerged in the Atlantic. However, it is not one of those anticyclones that remain on our heads until weed. While I write this, the anticyclone is already giving way for cold air masses to get into the country from the southwest. But that It will end. From Tuesday (and, above all, Wednesday) it will rain a lot in the Guadalquivir, Guadiana and Tajo basins. In fact, According to the weather index that measures the rarity of phenomenathe rains could be remarkably intense in the southern zone of the central system. Again. But the thing does not end there: another blockade. As Víctor González explainsboth the European and the American models have begun to draw an anticyclonic block in northern Europe in their departures. That is, a structure very similar to the one that has accompanied us in March. However, it is still early to know what will happen (because there are several options). The blockade in northern Europe Direct the storms Towards our latitudes. However, we need not an anticyclone about our heads. If in the end a dorsal is assembled on the peninsula, we will notice a “tempered and slightly unstable atmosphere”; But if the blockade is broken in the south, we can return to a situation very similar to last month. Is April a new March? Not so fast. That is alone one of the possibilities that arise. It is not clear that it will happen (And, much less, with that intensity). However, what we are seeing is already interesting in itself: in a country so prone to persistent stability, this uncertainty is really very striking. Hence, this article cannot end with the question we always ask ourselves “What can we expect?” We are entering An atmospheric dynamic that, beyond the rains this week, We can expect anything. Image | Tropical tidbits In Xataka |The swamps are so full for the rains of March that some face something unprecedented: unwind for the first time

Spain has been superxplying its aquifers. March rains have given us the historical opportunity to save them

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In recent years, we have spent hours and hours talking about swamps and reservoir water. And it makes sense: a good part of the country and its economy depend on them. However, if we only talk about reservoirs, we will be forgetting two out of ten Spaniards. And is that Spain is an aquifer country. According to The data of the Ministry of Ecological Transitioncover more than 90% of the national territory. That is between 20,000 and 30,000 cubic hectometers of water that are renewed annually. However, in the last decades we have been systematically overexploitation to the point that a good part of the country is being taken to the edge of technical bankruptcy. March rains give us a historical opportunity to solve this, the question is if we will be able to take advantage of it The clearest example is Doñana … The National Park lost “more than 80% of its marshes compared to the beginning of the 20th century.” However, more than half lost it in the last decade. That gives a clear measure of the voracity of the system: if the overexploitation has been able to denaturalize hectares and hectares of one of the most protected natural places in the country, what will not be happening with the rest? … But there are many more. Above all, because for most of the population what happens in Doñana It is still distant (problematic, rejectable, worryingYeah; but distant). The problem is that many regions depend critically on groundwater and the desiccation of aquifers exposes them to enormous water insecurity. The insecurity of which I speak has a very simple explanation: the agroganadero sector consumes 82.5% of the country’s water. That translates that most of the water passes through fertilized lands. It is not surprising that, according to the citizen network of measurement of nitrates, almost 60% of Spanish underground waters is contaminated by nitrates. If the subsoil is loaded with water, that pollution can be worrying, but is diluted. As soon as the water is scarce, the aquifers become unusable. The real problem is another. For decades, whether by their own decision or by omission, the Spanish authorities have lived back their aquifers. This explains a good part of the disorder and lack of control that surrounds them. Eyes that do not see, illegal irrigation that are allowed. Wwf Spain revealed in 2019 that The four most important aquifers in the country have been sheared for years. And presumably, goes much further. According to the reports of the Geological and Mining Institute“For decades, salinization of Mediterranean and insular Spanish coastal coastal aquifers have been known.” Despite this, “only in a few cases this situation is well managed.” As happens, for example, with the Malaga aquifer of Guadalhorce, Integral studies are missing of the entire aquifer to specify the existing reserves and determine the best extraction strategy “if it exists. Without knowing how much water there is and how that water is the situation becomes impossible to manage accurately. The opportunity of March. When we say that We have been failing for 30 years When preparing for the next drought (and diverting the resources we obtain from the improvement of efficiency to uses that abound in exploitation), we refer This kind of thing: The lack of a really ambitious management framework that recovers, manages and sanctions the aquifers of the country. March 2025 and the huge amount of water He has put in the channels has become a great opportunity to solve this. We have given us time to build these integral studies and make decisions for the future. Hopefully not missing her. Image | Scott Jasechko (via sync) | Niel Baars In Xataka | “In the next ten years, Spain and Latin America will suffer (and much) with water,” Robert Glennon (University of Arizona)

The intense rains of March have filled the reservoirs of Spain with water. Good news for the Light’s Invoice

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In recent weeks, in Spain it has rained so much that the swamps of the peninsular center are so full that they will have to unwind. A news that will directly influence the electricity bill, but for good. With which we never count. When we talk about generation and renewable capacity, the two sources that come to mind are usually solar and wind. However, there are more renewables that provide energy to the electrical system such as hydroelectric plants. This year, in addition, the rains have arrived as a gift because wind energy has failed in its contribution, which has made the hydroelectric take more prominence. How will it affect our light bill? In this situation of incessant rainfall throughout the Spanish territory, which also will lengthen throughout the month of Marchhydroelectric plants have already generated more than 9,000 GWh, which represents a 18.4% of energy mix. In addition, the generation and storage capacity of hydroelectric plants He has reached The 5,599 MW, which represents 20.65% of the total system structure. This contribution is very important to see in the coming months a decrease in light prices. The rain, an ally. This phenomenon will help lengthen the low price period, which is important for homes and companies that fear the increase in rates. Compared to the previous years, and taking into account that this year wind energy He has been failing In their contribution, the rains have become great allies. It can warm up. If we talk about hydroelectric plants, we have to talk about their storage of energy: swamps. Currently, reservoirs in Spain are in Very good situation thanks to the stormwith a generation capacity of 60.90%. In other words, reservoirs have A large amount of energy storedaccording to Miteco data we would be talking about a Total capacity of more than 17,000 MW. To see it with data, the reservoirs have increased their volume by 296 HM³ (1.7% more). In the case of the Alcántara reservoir, One of the great batteries of Tajohas accumulated 257 hm³ of water in a week, which is equivalent to 454 GWh of electricity. Conflict of interest. Although there is an increase in hydroelectric generation due to rains, there is a problem with the Reservoir management. Hydroelectric plants have an economic interest in maximizing their production, which can lead them to make decisions about water unworthy. These cases have even occurred when water reserves should have been used for another use, such as Agricultural irrigation. It will remain to see how companies They store and release water. Forecasts In these days of intense rain and with the arrival of spring we will have to add the thaw of the mountains, so the reservoirs are expected to continue filling. This situation will ensure an even greater hydroelectric production capacity in the coming weeks, prolonging the low price phase. Hopefully enough to be extended, while in the European Commission they solve the issue of Down 5% to VAT In the light invoice. Image | Iberdrola Xataka | We do not have even half a month and Aemet is already registering unpublished records in places like Huelva: the most rainy March

Torrential rains have reminded us why winter tires make a difference. Even when there is no snow

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Spain has been plunged into a scenario of persistent rainscold in many parts of the country (exacerbated by moisture) and snow in some cases. They are the ideal conditions to be clear about why they can be worth some winter tires. Even if there is no snow. Two situations lived with completely different results in recent weeks are your confirmation. Winter tires for when there is no snow Winter and snow tires are almost inseparable in the collective imaginary. It makes sense if we think it is the only way to continue circulating when the road has become so complicated that the road is cut for all those who do not have chains or these shoes for their cars. But, in addition, not only is it that Winter tires They allow us to get ahead when chains are necessary. In addition, they are safer because the control of the car is simpler, it does not force us to maneuver with an accessory that we rarely put in the car (if we get to take it on occasion) while we deal with a icy temperature. And, as if that were not enough, we do not run the risk of destroying the tires if we are not attentive. The latter is what happens when we do not remove the chains on time and the ice has already disappeared from the road. As we say, these are the most extreme but not the only ones in which winter tires are necessary. How much we miss them, for example, in our aborted contact of the Ford Capri, when the port of Navacerrada had to turn around. Experience we tell you in this article. In those we were, in the idea of ​​finding the snow and checking first -hand what were capable of winter tires in our contact of DS 7 crossback, SUV of the company that has been renewed and offered now with new plug -in hybrid mechanics. But, like Time is capriciousthen wanted our visit to the Aragonese Pyrenees to be marked by rain but, much less, by snow. We even had an offroad route prepared to verify what a car was able to get it out of the asphalt if we put some Michelin CrossClimate 2. And the result was surprisingly good. It is true that the route did not present great complications for an SUV but had a certain challenge for a car that is not designed to pass stretches where the mud forced us to stay in our site, be soft and constant with the accelerator pedal and, above all, maneuver gently. Of course, if something allowed to go to DS 7 crossback on the chosen route it was by the tires. Because snow is not necessary to check why they are interesting winter tires. Tire yield depending on the temperature: 1.- Nordic tires. 2.- Winter tires. 3.- All Season tires. 4.- Summer tires. Security reasons The first thing I thought when we started linking mud, mud and more mud on our offroad route with the DS 7 crossback is that in our situation you could find anyone who likes to go out to the field, put the car the car by a simple step and, already late, it realizes that it has gotten into a mess. There are a thousand examples. From the hiker who approaches the car to a route, which he wants to bring children closer to snow and find it that the road is in the worst state of what he thought. Going through the fisherman who wants to spend a morning in a reservoir and enjoy tranquility. I know who, in the latter case, almost ends inside the water with the car. That day, the tires barely traction in a step with mud that, in reality, was deeper than it seemed to the naked eye. With a little touch it is something we completely avoid. In our case, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 are designed to be mounted on all stations but have winter certification (M+S and 3pmsf). The latter acronyms (m+s of Mud + snowmud and snow in English, and Three Peak Mountain Snow Flakewhich can also be identified with a three -spike mountain) is what demands the DGT to circulate with tires as an alternative to chains. It is not necessary for the road to be completely snowy to check the efficacy of winter tires The rubber in this case is structured with great V -shaped slots. That drawing allows you to drain more quickly. It moves much more water and increases the traction capacity in mud situations (such as the one lived in the Aragonese Pyrenees) or with ice and snow (the one lived in the port of Navacerrada). But also, simply, with rain. Circular these days through the Community of Madrid is to check the problems that some roads have to drain the water that is falling. Winter tires make it difficult to fall into the dreaded Aquaplaing Because, as we said, they clear an amount of water well above summer tires. This is especially important if, in addition, the asphalt temperature is low, as is happening these days. In these conditions of cold and rain, the performance of a summer tire is much worse and the winter wins (with much) the game. Above all If the temperature has fallen below seven degrees. The structure of the tire with large g grooves facilitates to drain more fluid and improve the braking with the wet floor Collect the DGT That a winter tire needs 32 meters to stop the car when the road It is wet and is cold When it circulates at 50 km/h. Under the same conditions, a summer tire will go above 60 meters. That extra security deserves money if we live in areas where rains are very common and temperatures in summer are not especially high. There are also spaces that keep the tires and protect them during winter or summer to exchange rubber twice a year. Each … Read more

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