winter

Europe has reached the end of winter with depleted gas reserves. A country has a model to save it: Spain

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This winter, which is coming to an end, is being colder than expected, something that as we have seen has caused havoc. Without going any further, there have been planes that have not been able to fly due to lack of antifreeze. If we talk about gas for heating, storage has also reached red numbers: the Netherlands has a reserve of approximately 12%, Germany and France are around 21%, according to AGSI data. In this low-minimum scenario, there are two countries that deviate from the norm: Spain and Portugal, with reserves of 56.87% and 76.7%, respectively. Of course, the difference in capacity is abysmal: 3.57 TWh for the first and 35.9 TWh for the second. It is not a coincidence: it is that the Spanish state has a particular infrastructure that has led it to this point. The context. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia that began in 2022 accelerated the independence of the old continent from Russian gas. Among the measures from Brussels, an emergency rule by which all EU member states had to start the winter with their gas reserves at 90% to ensure supply. However, in 2025 the EU decided to maintain that 90% target. but relaxing the norm to optimize costs. This greater flexibility together with a harsher than expected winter has brought an end to winter with reserves that are at their lowest in the last five years. The harsh European winter. In mid-January, deposits fell below 50%. If the winter ends with a capacity of 30%, Europe will have to inject 60 billion cubic meters of gas. To get an idea, approximately the annual gas consumption of all of Germany. In short, Europe has to refill its tanks in the summer and it will need a lot of imported gas to do so, which means go out into the market and face other competitors and the logistics of bringing it here in an increasingly complicated geopolitical scenario. The Spanish strategy. The Spanish gas storage system is based on two pillars: underground storage and LNG regasification. The second leg is providential, insofar as it is where Spain makes the difference and, furthermore, It is a powerhouse. In fact, Spain owns 35% of all LNG storage capacity in the EU, how Sedigas collects. Its enormous regasification capacity enables diversification of origin, with USA as first supplier with 44.4% of the total gas and another 15 different countries later, according to Enagás data. Spain has an infrastructure of seven plants that makes it possible to receive LNG ships from different sources, thus ensuring supply in case any mishap (technical problems, conflicts, political decisions) fails. Spain started the winter making decisions. Although the previous strategy gives it an advantage over other member states, Spain adopted a conservative strategy When facing this winter 25/26, adjusting to concentrate reserves in January and February, the coldest and with the most demand. A management decision to not waste that cushion prematurely. He was absolutely right: in January gas consumption rose 10.2% compared to the previous year, with a 30% increase in that destined to generate electricity because renewables contributed less than expected. Spain plays in another league. Thanks to its infrastructure, Spain no longer only consumes gas: it re-exports it. It has become a hub for redistributing gas to Europe as a kind of energy logistics platform, providing geopolitical and economic value to a state that, due to its geographical location, is isolated (which, for example, in the electrical field plays tricks on him) Is there real risk? While it is true that widespread shortages are not expected, there are localized risks in Europe. As summarizes El Economista, Spain has precedents of similar levels, such as 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, where supply was not compromised. Of course, we will have to see what happens with the demand for LNG in summer globally, because it could make European replenishment significantly more expensive. In any case, Spain will get to that moment better than most. The scenario is not very rosy at the moment, precisely, with the Strait of Hormuz closed and the diplomatic crisis between Spain and the US, its main supplier. In Xataka | Europe believed it had won the gas war against Russia. Now it faces a much more uncomfortable reality: its dependence on the United States. In Xataka | The gas market becomes unpredictable: we have tanks full and ships on the way, but the price remains an enigma Cover | Pronor

The Winter Olympics leave Italy with a debt of 7.8 million dollars. Not to organize them, to win them

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Italy can be satisfied with the Winter Olympic Games, held in its own home. It has gone well. Very good, in fact. Thirty medals in total: 10 gold, six silver and 14 bronze. If we talk about metals in general only there are three nations with a better balance, the powerful Norway (41) and the United States (33). The most curious thing is that this balance is so damn good that now Italy will have to assume a debt of almost eight million of dollars. Success also pays. What has happened? That Italy will have to face a debt of 7.8 million dollars for the Winter Olympics that it just hosted. So far nothing extraordinary if we take into account the large investment carried out by the country to host the Olympics and that a large part of these funds were financed by the Executive itself. The curious thing is that those almost eight million have nothing to do with its status as host or the infrastructure necessary for the tests. The debt has another reason: the sporting successes achieved by Italy. Country Golds Silver Bronze Total Norway 18 12 11 41 USA 12 12 9 33 Italy 10 6 14 30 Germany 8 10 8 26 Japan 5 7 12 24 Debts to earn? Yes. The news (and the calculations that support it) has revealed them Forbeswhich on Sunday echoed the peculiar scenario that Italy faces. In his day the Italian National Olympic Committee He decided to encourage his athletes by promising them huge bonuses if they made it onto the podium. To be more precise, he offered 213,000 dollars in exchange for gold, 106,000 for silver and 71,000 for bronze. What has happened? That incentive seems to have worked and has now generated a million-dollar commitment. Its status as host nation opened the doors to automatic qualification for Italy, but its sports teams have demonstrated a more than notable performance: they achieved 30 medals (10 gold, six silver and 14 bronze), ten more than those achieved in 1994which had been his best winter Olympics until now. In fact, in the global ranking it is only surpassed by Norway, with 41 medals, and the USA, with 33. It is also one of the best positioned in gold medals. It occupies third place in the ranking, shared with the Netherlands. Does it only happen to Italy? No. Although it is true that your case is peculiar. For your report Forbes He contacted 37 delegations who confirm having offered incentives to those athletes who reached the podium. Among those groups, Italy was one of the most generous. Only Singapore, Hong Kong, Poland and Kazakhstan surpassed it, which motivated their sports teams with bigger prizes. For reference, Singapore ‘tempted’ its athletes with $787,000 in exchange for gold in individual sports. Hong Kong paid it at $768,000. What happened in Italy? That the claim worked as well for none of those delegations as it did for Italy. According to the calculations of Forbesthe host country is the one that will have to pay the most now: 7.8 million dollars, well above the second on the list, the United States, with just over three million. Third on the list is Switzerland (1.5 million) and fourth is Poland, whose incentives total 1.24 million. In general, the incentive system varies greatly from one country to another. Not only for its rewards. There may also be differences in how these bonuses are financed (with public funds or with sponsors), in the maximum number of bonuses or if the prizes extend beyond the podium, also rewarding athletes who return home with Olympic diplomas. Italy has also decided to offer bonuses to its para-athletes, so the amount it owes to its most successful athletes could increase not much. In this case, the bonus amounts to $118,000 for those who win the gold, 65,000 for those who win the silver and 41,000 for the bronze. Is it the only relevant figure? At all. The bonus debt is curious, but it is by no means the only relevant figure associated with the Winter Olympic Games that Italy has just organized, with distributed headquarters through Milan, Cortina d´Ampezzo, Verona, Valtellina and Val di Fiemme. Another key data is the investment mobilized by the competition. S&P estimates that the total cost of the Winter Games comfortably exceeded 5,000 million euros. A good part of this spending (about 63%) was public and was dedicated mainly to investments in infrastructure. The other fundamental data is the economic return for the country: some estimates speak of the generation of some 5.3 billion eurosa good part of them thanks to tourism boost. Images | Eric Salard (Flickr) and Simone Ferraro/CONI Via | Forbes In Xataka | The Winter Olympics are facing the most unexpected technological doping: penis punctures

Florida has an iguana problem and the coldest winter in years, so it has euthanized more than 5,000 frozen iguanas

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In the Iberian Peninsula we are having one of the winters with more rainfall in recent yearsbut in the United States they are not exactly having a mild winter either. New York has arrived register colder than in Antarctica and not even the state of the sun has been saved: Florida has broken a cold record of more than 100 years. Thus, Miami or West Palm Beach have fallen below 0°C, something that It hasn’t happened since 1909. This extreme cold literally freezes the iguanas. And that has made it very easy for the Florida authorities to “euthanasia” 5,195 specimens Florida has a serious problem with iguanas. As happens in Spain with the catfishes either in Italy with blue crabs (among other parts of the Mediterranean), the United States has invasive species like the Asian carp, which bothers it so much that They have come to electrify the riversor the iguana, which mainly affects southern Florida. In addition to biodiversity problems derived from introducing an outside species into an ecosystem, altering the trophic chain or that its feces are natural carriers of salmonellais that they constitute a real danger to infrastructure: they build burrows up to 24 meters deep, damaging sea walls (a 1.8 million dollar problem in West Palm Beach), building foundations and even blackouts. Not to mention the risk that an iguana falls from a tree to the head or the hood of your car. Friendly reminder that iguanas can come to measure two meters long and weigh more than 13 kg. It’s raining iguanas. Literally. You probably read the above with surprise because, well, from time to time a little bird falls, but a tremendous iguana is less common. The iguanas They arrived in Florida in the 1960s. and since then they have moved quietly through courtyards and canals. The Sunshine State has a subtropical climate and iguanas are cold-blooded reptiles, but for much of the year, they adapt. But winter comes, especially a winter as cold as this one, and the iguanas are stunned by the cold. They are ectothermic speciesthat is, their body temperature is strongly determined by the environment (they do not generate their heat, as mammals do), so they freeze. This cold stunning affects internal processes such as metabolism, breathing or heart rate. And this is what leads them to fall from trees because they are in standby and lose their grip. A chance to get rid of them. So the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has taken the opportunity to implement executive order 26-03which temporarily allows anyone to pick up one of those cold-stunned green iguanas without needing a permit to bring it to authorities. In the first two days of February, Residents brought 5,195 copies. Subsequently, they were sacrificed following American Veterinary Association guidelines (AMVA). Or from a technical point of view, they “euthanized” them. Animal welfare vs pest control. According to the FWCnon-native reptile species such as green iguanas or Burmese pythons are only protected by animal cruelty laws. The procedure is known as “euthanasia” insofar as the method of death must be irreversible, rapid and painless. Precisely at that moment in which they are lethargic is the moment considered the most humanitarian to act. In Xataka | The coypu, one of the 100 most harmful invasive species in the world, is at the doors of Barcelona In Xataka | The US has such a big problem with Asian carp in its rivers that it has decided something extreme: electrocute them Cover | Mason Jones

The Winter Olympics are facing the most unexpected technological doping: penis punctures

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Human beings have always had a special relationship with flight. They say that Icarus flew so high to leave Crete that his wings ended up melting due to the action of the sun. Many years later, in 1903, the Wright brothers took flight for 12 seconds. Since then, all types of aircraft and flying accessories have been developed: from the commercial airplanes to the military, passing through the zeppelins and all kinds of gadgets for extreme sports. What we never imagined is that one of those gadgets was going to take on an unexpected name: penis. What has happened? Something as simple as it is complex: the ski jumpers’ penis is in the spotlight. Coinciding with the Winter Olympic Games which begin on Friday, February 6, 2026 in northern Italy, a rumor has spread that athletes are using their penises as part of technological doping that would make them fly further. The information that pointed to possible (and more than peculiar) doping among ski jumpers has its origin in information from the German newspaper Bild last January. It noted that athletes were injecting hyaluronic acid into their penises to increase their size. The goal, fly further. Literally. Because? Ski jumpers cannot use the suit that best suits them. Before the competitions, the responsible federation carries out 3D studies of the athletes’ bodies so that they use the suits that best fit their bodies. If the jumper reached these measurements with a swollen penis, he could use a larger size in his suit. This would create a larger surface area and, therefore, help keep it in the air longer, performing functions similar to those of a parachute. Unlike a boxer, who lose weight before going on the scale often dehydrating, in this case it is about increasing the size of the penis so that when it jumps it is smaller and than on fabric. Click on the image to go to the original tweet 5.8 meters. Winter sports, like any other elite sport, have become a race for marginal gains that can make all the difference when it comes to seconds, meters and, in this case, centimeters. According to The Timesincreasing the crotch area by two centimeters can represent a benefit of up to 5.8 meters. That, in terms of scoring, can make the difference between winning or not a medal and its color. In ski jumping, distance and technique are measured in two separate scoresincluding a wind correction. Is it doping? It’s the big question here. For now, WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) seems to be washing its hands, pointing out that injecting hyaluronic acid into the penis does not seem to increase performance of athletes. In this case we would talk about technological doping. That is, use the material used to your advantage to achieve marginal advantages that make a difference. In The New York Times They highlight that it would not be the first case of technological doping that would be studied in these Winter Olympic Games. England has been prohibited from participating with new helmets in the Skeleton test that improved the aerodynamics of its athletes. From England they defend themselves ensuring that these new helmets are safer than the old ones. Looking for the loophole in the regulations. Since the professionalization of the sport, efforts have been made to look for loopholes in the regulations to use them for their own benefit. The clearest example is in Formula 1 that has been seen since cars with six wheels to single-seaters that use turbines. Moto GP now lives in a constant obsession with aerodynamics. But playing on the margins is something that has also been used in sports where the athlete’s physique is decisive. Athletics has put the brakes on to the use of new foams and carbon plates in shoes that have broken records. In cycling too he has looked at his socks with a magnifying glass and it has been banned the use of the transistor on the chest for improve aerodynamics of the body. Although, probably, the case most similar to Penisgate It is that of the full-body swimsuits made entirely of polyurethane that caused a before and after in the history of swimming. Its use was prohibited because it increased the swimmer’s buoyancy.. But, above all, after 14 international records were broken at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and, already popularized, up to 43 world records were broken at the World Swimming Championships the following year in Rome. Photo | Todd Trapani In Xataka | This Dutch team has given its cyclists enormous “Darth Vader” helmets. And he has good reasons

There are electricians against the myth of electric radiators in winter

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Winter not only brings cold; It brings with it the fear of opening the mailbox and finding the energy bill. The scenario becomes complicated when we move away from the new work. Heating an old home is, today, one of the great challenges for homeowners and reformers. High ceilings, thick uninsulated walls and outdated installations turn thermal comfort into an obstacle course. In this context, many users find themselves caught between the desire for efficiency and the technical impossibility of installing the most modern systems. At first glance, the most convenient solution seems to be the electric radiator: plug and play. However, as experts warnthis convenience comes at a price. If not calculated well, these devices can easily become a “hole in the bill” at the end of the month. The reality of the brick versus technology. While Europe talks about heat pumps and decarbonization, the reality of Spanish homes is moving at a different pace. Many of the current solutions, such as underfloor heating either aerothermalare not always viable in historic or older buildings due to structural limitations. Fran Carbonell, electrician specialized in rehabilitation, explains in your TikTok account that, far from being dead, electric radiators are consolidated as an “efficient, simple and compatible alternative” with the character of these homes when it is not possible to carry out major works. Carbonell defends models such as natural stone emitters, which offer interesting thermal inertia without the need to break up floors. There is a sweepinvisible: the wiring. It is worth remembering, and this is not to put my finger on the sore spot, that 80% of the homes in Spain It has obsolete electrical installations and only 22.4% were built after the 2002 Technical Regulation. This means that before thinking about powerful systems, the house must be prepared. In fact, Carbonell himself insists on a key condition for installing radiators safely: “It is essential to carry out an independent electrical installation”, since conventional plugs Many old houses do not support the necessary power. Physics does not forgive the pocketbook. To understand why some options are more expensive than others, you have to look beyond the price of the device and look at efficiency. This is where it comes into play the Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP). As explained from Xataka Homea traditional electric radiator has a ratio of 1 to 1. That is, for every kilowatt (kW) of electricity you pay, you get 1 kW of heat. However, a heat pump (aerothermal) has an efficiency of 4 or 5. You pay 1 kW of electricity, but the machine returns 4 kW of heat because it “steals” the remaining thermal energy from the outside air for free. The translation into euros. If we update the calculator to the market prices of this first week of February, the electricity bill shows a truce relative, but dangerous. A standard 1,500 W radiator on five hours a day consumes 225 kWh per month. With the average price of the wholesale market hovering around minimums thanks to renewables, the monthly cost per device today would be around 27 euros for regulated rates. However, during peak hours or with high fixed rates, that same device can skyrocket to 45 euros per month. If we multiply by four radiators for a complete home, the range ranges between 108 and 180 euros extra on the bill. So what is the best option? The short answer is: it depends on your house and your initial budget. On the one hand, the efficiency winner—if you can afford it— It is Aerothermal. OCU studies confirm that the cheapest option for the pocket in the long term is the heat pump (aerothermal), followed by biomass. An example cThis is the case of Natalia, collected by The Spanish in Novemberwho went from spending 1,300 euros per year with radiators to around 400 euros after the reform, although the initial investment was around 6,500 euros. On the other hand, if you live in an old house where you cannot raise the floor, or in an area where winter is mild, electric radiators still make sense. They are the recommended option for “specific uses or small rooms.” What if I switch to gas? If we look at the other side, natural gas is experiencing a moment of contained stability at the start of the year. According to MIBGAS datathe daily price stands at €31.72/MWh, with a forecast for March that drops slightly to €30.85/MWh. This means that the “raw material” of gas remains competitive (just €0.031/kWh before taxes), being notably cheaper than raw electricity. However, the advantage is diluted when adding the fixed costs of the bill, boiler maintenance and the lower efficiency of the system compared to aerothermal energy. Furthermore, although today the price is attractive, the volatility of the European market and regulatory pressure to eliminate fossil boilers They add a layer of long-term uncertainty for anyone considering a new installation now. Tricks that are worth money. Regardless of the system you choose, there are golden rules that physics and experts recommend to avoid throwing away money in 2026: Turning off is saving: Forget the myth that “it’s better to keep it on.” Jorge Morales de Labra, energy expertis blunt: “Even if you go down for five minutes to buy bread, it’s worth turning it off.” Maintaining the temperature in an empty house means paying for constant heat losses. The 21 degree limit: Every degree you rise above 21 ºC increases the bill by 7%. That is the invisible barrier that you should not cross. “Low Cost” Insulation: If you can’t change the windows, there are effective patches. According to Decoesferathe use of weather stripping, wool rugs and the strategic closing of blinds to avoid thermal leaks. A resistance against the cold. While aerothermal energy is crowned as the queen of technical efficiency, electric radiators resist as the necessary trench solution for an aging real estate park that does not always allow for comprehensive renovations. The best decision depends of a … Read more

AEG’s Winter Sales are perfect for renewing appliances

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Renewing appliances (no matter if they are large or small) is less drama when we have offers or discounts. The brand is in that right now AEGwhich has active Winter Sales with discounts of up to 60% in ovens, hobs, washing machines, dryers, vacuum cleaners and more. These discounts can also be combined with the code “AEGEXTRA15”, thanks to which we will have an additional 15% discount. In addition to the promo, available until next March 1It is important to note that the AEG store has delivery in 48/72 hours, interest-free financing in up to 12 installments, free installation and even includes the removal and recycling of the old appliance that we are going to replace. There are several AEG appliances that have very interesting prices, but below we leave you a selection of the most powerful offers: Multifunction pyrolytic oven Series 5,000 by 424.15 euroswith thermal probe and WiFi connectivity. American refrigerator Series 9,000 by 1,129.65 euroswith touch display and very good capacity. 6,000 Series Dishwasher by 370.60 euroswith satellite sprinkler arm and clamping system to avoid damage to glassware. Cordless vacuum cleaner Series 8,000 by 381.65 euroswith autonomy for up to 90 minutes and emptying station. 5,000 Series Induction Hob by 289.85 euroswith individual timer and pause function. 6,000 series washing machine by 362.95 euroswith 8 kg capacity and spin speed up to 1,600 rpm. Multifunction pyrolytic oven Series 5,000 As a first option we have this multifunction oven from the 5,000 Series, with a capacity of 71 liters. It has a 4-glass door and WiFi connectivity, which is ideal so that we can control cooking from our mobile phone. In addition, it has 9 functions, 45 automatic programs and a thermal probe that is perfect so that we can control our dishes more precisely. It is reduced to 499 euros (its price is 699), but it remains at 424.15 euros with the code “AEGEXTRA15“. Series 5,000 multifunction oven The price could vary. We earn commission from these links American refrigerator 9,000 series If we are looking for a refrigerator with large capacity, we have this American Series 9,000 available for 1,129.65 euros with the code “AEGEXTRA15” (its RRP is 1,849 euros). It has a system that allows you to adjust the independent temperature of its Multichill drawer, which allows you to better preserve certain foods. It also has touch controls and a total capacity of 593 liters. American refrigerator Series 9,000 The price could vary. We earn commission from these links 6,000 Series Dishwasher The Series 6,000 dishwasher is a very interesting option in terms of quality-price: it is available right now for 370.60 euros with the code “AEGEXTRA15“. This uses a satellite spray arm that allows the cleaning to reach every corner of the interior of the appliance, which will ensure that we obtain very good results. In addition, it has a fastening system to prevent the glassware from breaking. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Cordless vacuum cleaner Series 8,000 AEG also has top options to help us clean our home, like this Series 8,000 cordless vacuum cleaner. It has very good suction power and an automatic emptying station that is very convenient to use. It offers up to 90 minutes of suction per charge, more than enough for a medium-sized home. Plus, it comes with several different accessories. It is available for 381.65 euros if we use the code “AEGEXTRA15“. Cordless vacuum cleaner Series 8,000 The price could vary. We earn commission from these links 5,000 Series Induction Hob We continue with more kitchen appliances with this Series 5,000 induction hob, available for 289.85 euros (its RRP is 499 euros). It has 4 different cooking zones and a system called Powerboost that makes them heat up faster than normal. It has independent and responsive touch controls, offering a very fluid user experience. 5,000 Series Induction Hob The price could vary. We earn commission from these links 6,000 series washing machine Finally, we have this 6,000 series washing machine, available for 362.95 euros if we use the code “AEGEXTRA15“. This one, which has 8 kg capacity, automatically adjusts the time, water and even energy consumption depending on the volume of the load. In addition, it has a program called Extra-Quick that allows us to have a wash of up to 3 kg of clothes ready in 20 minutes. 6,000 series washing machine The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | AEG In Xataka | What to take into account before buying a refrigerator In Xataka | Best cordless upright vacuum cleaners. Which one to buy and seven recommended broom vacuum cleaners from 139 euros

How is it possible that Spain is freezing in the middle of a ‘warmer than normal’ winter?

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When you look out the window these days, it’s easy to ask yourself a very clear question: didn’t they say that This was going to be a warmer than normal winter.? With the storm Francis opening the door, followed by Ingrid and Joseph, and the snow level plummeting up to 500 meters in the northwest, the thermal sensation in January 2026 is far from “mild”. And although we can think of an error by the AEMET in its predictions at the beginning of the season, the problem is in the probabilities What was said. The AEMET in his initial prediction For this winter they did not use a crystal ball to ensure days of sun and beach, but rather they resorted to prediction models that showed a probabilistic situation: they placed almost all of Spain in the warm tertile. This means that there was a very high probability that the average temperature for the entire quarter was among the 33% warmest winters in the historical record. The chance of it being a colder winter was just 10%. When it comes to rainfall, the truth is that They didn’t get too wet at the AEMET by giving the same probability for it to be wetter, drier or normal than those of other years. He gave all of these 33%. January 2026. When we stop looking at the probabilistic models and move on to meteorological reality, we already see that there are substantial differences. And it is that Throughout this month we have had a severe entry of arctic air, notices in all communities and relevant snowfalls in the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees. It’s a bookish winter episode. Data is still missing. A freezing week does not make a cold winter, and everything indicates that after these storms that we are enduring right now, temperatures will rebalance between 1 and 3 degrees above the table. And for the AEMET this winter we have not yet had any cold wave which would mark the third consecutive year without them in Spain. According to the historical series, since 1975 the duration of cold waves on the peninsula has been reduced by 1.2 days per decade and that is why this winter is presented as one more to reduce this average in our climatological history. The NAO factor. The models certainly cannot see the climatological “day by day” coming very far in advance, since seasonal predictions, which are based on systems like ECMWFhave limited resolution. In this case we are talking about contextual tools for energy management or agriculture, not a “horoscope” to know if we will be able to ski without snow in the mountains. What the European winter climate largely depends on is the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Arctic Oscillation (AO). In this case a positive NAO indicates a westward, warm and humid circulation. But if we talk about a negative NAO, it translates into a blockage that allows polar air to escape to the south, which is what is happening to us right now. The problem. It is precisely because these coupled atmosphere-ocean models have a low ability to anticipate what phases the NAO will be in months in advance. They get the global thermal signal very well, such as background warming, but it is difficult for them to see the specific sequence of cold entries. A change of pattern. The debate about whether the “AEMET fails” with its predictions usually hides a deeper climate reality. And a “warm winter” in the current context of climate change does not mean the disappearance of winter, but rather it means that mild days and mild minimum temperatures are becoming more frequent, and cold waves are less common and less lasting. Next weeks. If we look beyond this week full of water we find ourselves again faced with uncertainty. According to the prediction made by the AEMETit is expected that for the week of February 2 to 8 a similar meteorological pattern will continue with Atlantic storms at our altitude, so there would be water throughout all of Spain. What the models predict, although everything can change, is that it will be presented in the west of the peninsula an extremely wet period over the next two weekswith rainfall that would be counted per liters of water in very specific areas of Spain and Portugal. In Xataka | We have always believed that London is very rainy and that Barcelona is not. The only problem is that it’s a lie

He has fitted winter tires to use it as a snow plow.

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While many drivers in Spain stay stuck on mountain roads Every winter, as a few centimeters of snow fall due to driving cars that are not prepared for those conditions, the CEO of Bugatti wanted to offer a winter driving lesson most unexpected. Mate Rimac, 37-year-old Croatian businessman supercar enthusiast that it manufactures, has recently shared on its social networks a video which shows something completely surprising: he prefers to drive a Bugatti Tourbillon of 4 million euros in heavy snow conditions. This is not an impulsive act, but rather a rigorous testing program that seeks to validate the behavior of the exclusive Bugatti supercar in extreme situations in the real world. The first Bugatti “snowplow” The contrast with what we usually see on Spanish roads with the first snowfalls of the season is disconcerting. While many drivers with front-wheel drive SUVs equipped with summer tires end up trapped for not being able to circulate With a few centimeters of snow, the CEO of Bugatti shows that the problem is not the type of vehicle, but the preparation of the vehicle with the correct equipment to face these adverse weather conditions. In it video posted on your profile From Instagram, Rimac presents two options for driving in snow storms: a properly prepared Jeep Wrangler and a Bugatti Tourbillon. The CEO’s choice of the French supercar, instead of the specifically designed 4×4 vehicle for difficult terrainhighlights a fundamental truth about winter driving. Tap on the image to go to the original content As revealed by the “VP1” callsign on its side, the Bugatti Tourbillon that Rimac drives is the first unit that circulates freely on open roads, with a power of 1,800 HP and a price of 4 million dollars. Rimac explains in his video that the Tourbillon is equipped with winter tires of the correct quality, and this is precisely the determining factor that is missing from the majority of Spanish drivers who get stuck on the roads and mountain passes with the first snowfalls. According to the businessman, the winter tires provide enough grip to control the 1,800 HP delivered by this exclusive asphalt beast, keeping them under control even under snow conditions and with a rolling surface as wide as the one they offer Tourbillon wheels. The irony is that a vehicle so extremely expensive and with such enormous power be more manageable in winter than a conventional SUV poorly equipped. A training program for supercars Rimac and the Tourbillon’s adventure on snowy roads is not simply a display of Bugatti’s automotive bravado. The CEO explained that the objective is thoroughly test the Tourbillon in all possible real-world driving conditions over the next two years. In this way, the Bugatti team aims to obtain data on its behavior and draw conclusions that allow it to improve its configuration with data that goes beyond that obtained in conventional test benches. The CEO assured that “five years of hard work to get the Tourbillon from a blank page to a road test” has led to them now examining the vehicle’s behavior in real scenarios. During these driving tests, Rimac travels accompanied by a technician who monitors the car’s telemetry in real time, collecting valuable data on how the hypercar responds to extreme winter conditions. The CEO noted that “we have been testing it on various tracks and test facilities for two years, but road testing in real conditions is another matter.” The manager has also taken advantage of the opportunity to test the Rimac Refrigeratorthe electric supercar of the brand he foundedunder the same conditions of driving on snow. A luxury convoy that you surely did not expect to find in a mountain pass after a snowfall. In Xataka | If you have four million euros you are very lucky in life, but you will not have the new Bugatti Image | Mate Rimac

The TUR drops almost 9% despite the winter extra cost

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The energy scenario for January 2026 is very different from what families experienced just three months ago. As we analyzed in Octoberthe autumn began with an average increase of 13.2% in the Last Resort Rate (TUR) for households, driven by the introduction of the seasonal surcharge and the increase in regulated costs. However, the new resolution of the General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines, published this Saturday, December 27 in the Official State Gazette (BOE), change the board: The individual rate without taxes will decrease an average of 8.7% compared to October prices. The savings figures. The reduction not only affects individual consumers, but extends to the entire spectrum of the regulated rate. The descent is broken down as follows: Households (TUR 1 and 2): For an average customer who only uses gas for cooking and water (TUR 1), the annual bill with taxes will decrease by 3.7%. For those who also have heating (TUR 2), the decrease will be 4.3%. SMEs (TUR 3): Small businesses will see a 4.8% drop in their annual receipt. Neighboring communities (TUR Vecinal): In rates ranging from TUR 4 to TUR 11, the variable term will be reduced between 5.7% and 8.3%. What does this mean for the consumer? This drop represents a “balloon of oxygen” at the time of highest consumption of the year. The TUR is confirmed as a refuge from the volatility of the free market, where some clients even pay twice as much for the same supply. In addition, the regulations have shielded the protection of specific groups. According to the resolution of the BOEthe last resort rate is applicable indefinitely to communities of owners, public buildings for residential use and non-profit organizations. The international market has set the tone. The General Directorate of Energy Policy and Mines has applied a technical formula where the fall in international markets has weighed more than fixed costs. The points are: Cheaper raw material. The cost of base gas has been reduced by 1.7% thanks to the drop in the price of Brent (-2.9%), even compensating for the slight loss in value of the euro against the dollar. Seasonal gas down. Although in winter “seasonal gas” is mandatory (more expensive due to high demand), this year its cost is 18% lower than the previous period due to the decrease in natural gas futures. Technical components. The cost of the raw material has been set at about 2.55 cents per kWh — which serves as the basis for calculating your bill before adding tolls and taxes. Quarterly surveillance. This truce in prices will come into force on January 1, 2026. However, the automatic nature of the TUR implies that on April 1 the price will be reviewed again depending on how the different global conflicts evolve and storage capacity of the European Union. For now, Spanish households will start the year with a necessary respite from the cold. Image | Unsplash and freepik Xataka | Spain lights up for Christmas, but an uncomfortable doubt arises on some rooftops

We have been believing for decades that wet hair makes us sick in winter. Science knows perfectly well that it is a lie

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“Don’t go out with wet hair or you’ll catch pneumonia” or “put on your coat or you’ll catch a cold” are very grandmotherly phrases that almost all of us have been told in our childhood and that have been burned into our brains. But the question we can ask ourselves: is this true? The reality is that not directly. The culprit. May we have a cold or flu It doesn’t exactly depend on the cold. The culprit in this case are infectious agents such as viruses, the most common being rhinovirus. The fact that this microscopic germ accesses our body and overcomes our defense barriers causes it to begin to replicate and generate its effect that In the long run it’s really annoying when accompanied by fever, cough and a host of other symptoms. In this way, the equation is quite simple: if there is no exposure to the virus, the external temperature is irrelevant. To understand it, if we put ourselves in the situation of going out to Antarctica with our hair soaked and naked, we would surely die of hypothermia, but we wouldn’t catch a cold unless a penguin sneezed rhinovirus on us. The same thing happens if we are in an environment completely isolated from viruses and at a very low temperature: no infection would occur. The experts. Just as it isExperts from the Mayo Clinic explain and disseminating pharmacistscold alone does not have the ability to spontaneously generate a pathogen. Cold is a physical condition, not a biological agent. And science has been trying to explain this for decades. One of the most cited and relevant studies is the one carried out by the University of Rochester where they separated volunteers into two groups. One of them was exposed to low temperature and cold conditions; the other was kept in a warm and comfortable environment. Subsequently, they were exposed to rhinovirus that causes colds. The result. In this way, it was seen that between the two groups there was no significant difference in the contagion of the virus or in the symptoms they presented. The group subjected to the cold did not have a harsher cold, so the factor in getting sick was solely and exclusively the virus. Getting sick in winter. It is a reality that when winter arrives the rates of people with colds or flu increase greatly, as we are seeing in Spain these days. This makes us think that the relationship really exists, whatever science says. And this is where we give a little point to ‘grandmother’s advice’. Science suggests that rhinoviruses they replicate better at the temperatures we usually have in our noseswhich ranges from 33 to 35 °C. But in addition, the cold temperature also causes our defenses to lower, so it is much easier for the virus to access our body and begin to spread in a much simpler way. And that’s why winter is where we see a higher rate of colds. Other factors. But he is not the only one. The social factor is also a big culprit, because when it is cold the truth is that it is better to be locked up at home with Netflix. But in these cases we would be in an interior space with little ventilation (because it is cold) and very close to other people. In this way, if a person has the virus, the probability of contagion skyrockets in a heated indoor place much more than in an open-air park at 5°C. Another point is the dry environment that exists at this time due to the cold outside and the indoor heating. This causes the nasal mucous membranes to dry out, which is a serious problem for the mucus, which is our first line of defense at the entrance to viruses and bacteria. If the mucosa is dry, its effectiveness decreases and facilitates the entry of pathogens. Wet hair. A special distinction must be made for this myth since today there is no evidence to justify a relationship between wet hair and an increase in viral infections. Going out with wet hair causes a great loss of body heat (since the head has a lot of vascularized surface), which generates notable thermal discomfort. This translates into a feeling of very cold, feeling cold and perhaps accompanied by a headache due to muscle tension derived from the cold, but the humidity on the scalp does not attract germs or facilitate infection. Images | Dmitriy Kievskiy Brittany Colette In Xataka | H5N1 bird flu unleashes a massacre in Antarctica: half of the female seals have already disappeared

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