Mid-October and southern Spain is still enjoying 33ºC temperatures

Temperatures in the mid-30s in mid-October have beckoned people back to the beaches in Southern Spain.

Hot weather is not the norm for Andalucía in the middle of October. Pleasantly warm temperatures – those around the mid-20ºC mark – are more commonplace, meaning that sun-starved northern Europeans still find that now is a good time to holiday in southern Spain…

However, last week saw the mercury push up to 35ºC in many parts of the region, edging close to a temperature record set in 1994.

Back then, Seville recorded a temperature of 36.6ºC, while last Friday analysts at the Spanish meteorological agency AEMET were forecasting the same city to record a temperature of 36ºC.

Earlier in the week parts of the Guadalquivir Valley near to  Seville recorded 33ºC, while many other towns and cities inland from the Costa del Sol boasted temperatures of 30ºC.

Things were a little different down on the coast where the Mediterranean helped to usher in slightly cooler air, but as always with southern Spain, if the skies are cloudless and the winds light, the temperature has a tendency to creep upwards.

This meant that holidaymakers and locals have enjoyed the chance to hit the beach in the past few days to top up their tan ahead of the winter months.

AEMET data has revealed that October 2017 is so far the hottest October since the turn of the millennium, and follows an exceptionally hot September. Unusually, August was a relatively damp one, although the preceding months of June and July were – like always – absolutely glorious down on the Costa del Sol.

So if you’re in Spain this week, make the most of it – late October and November can be unsettled, bringing in cooler temperatures and rain. Then again, there are often equally as many days of beautiful sunshine and warm weather, so don’t be deterred – bronzed skin and outdoor living may not have to be consigned to 2018 just yet…