CUBA-WEATHER/HEAT Havana heat wave grips Cuban capital with record temperatures

Record ID: 158119

  • Title: CUBA-WEATHER/HEAT Havana heat wave grips Cuban capital with record temperatures
  • Date: 27th April 2015
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (APRIL 27, 2015) (REUTERS) TOURISTS WALKING ALONG BEACH SUN BETWEEN PALM TREES TOURIST SUNBATHING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LIFEGUARD, ALEJO MARTINEZ, SAYING: "In the 30 years that I've had at this beach I've never seen such strong heat like this. During this this month and this date it's incredible. Who's not here in the water." BEACH BEACH VISITORS PEOPLE IN SEA
  • Embargoed: 12th May 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAD37TF97UIM7Q5O0FWXHCJIILF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
    Havana has sweltered through record high temperatures in recent days as Cuba's heat wave neared record highs, taking locals and tourists by surprise.
    Residents of Havana struggled to cool off as temperatures got close to hitting the 40 degree (104 Fahrenheit) mark.
    Meteorologist, Jose Rubiera Torres, told state television that consecutive 35-degree days at the Casablanca weather centre near Havana broke records since temperatures were registered at the site in 1909.
    "For example, for three consecutive days last week temperatures were over 35 degrees (95 degrees fahrenheit) at the (meteorological) station at Casablanca. This has never happened since 1909 when the station started and since records (were kept)," he said.
    This is peak season for tourism in Cuba with international travellers flocking to Havana ahead of summer for the fresh, Caribbean weather.
    Lifeguard, Alejo Martinez, told Reuters he's never seen such extreme temperatures in April in the Cuban capital.
    "In the 30 years that I've had at this beach I've never seen such strong heat like this. During this this month and this date it's incredible. Who's not here in the water," he said.
    Dozens of meteorological stations across the country have also recorded record temperatures. The highest being 38.8 degrees (101.8 fahrenheit) in the south of the island nation.
    "Yesterday there were 23 meteorological stations which registered more than 35 degrees (95 degrees fahrenheit) and also Sunday (April 26) yesterday maximum temperatures of 38.7 degrees Celsius (101.6 fahrenheit) was also recorded in the city of Holguin, as well as at Velasco (weather) station in its province. This is of course a new record for the Holguin province but one decimal point off from being a national record for Cuba of 38.8 (degrees Celsius) (101.8 fahrenheit) from the Jucarito (weather) station in Granma province," added Rubiera Torres.
    Cuba's iconic beaches have been the destination for tourists seeking some respite from Havana's heat wave.
    "Overwhelmed by the heat. Thankfully you have beautiful beaches you can go to and cool off because in central (Havana) it's too much, it's unbearable," said Argentine tourist, Monica Onieva.
    The heat wave has taken many by surprise. On Sunday (April 26) Havana broke a century-old record after the Casablanca weather station reached 37 degrees (98.6 fahrenheit).
    "On Sunday (April 26) the capital had very high temperatures which reached 37 degrees (98.6 fahrenheit) which is a record at the Casablanca. Previously 36.6 degrees (97.8 Fahrenheit) was recorded on October 09, 2009 but it was a 100-year, 105-year record at the station," said Rubiera Torres.
    According to forecast, the extreme weather is expected to continue through to next week but locals and tourists can expect some light relief on Friday (May 01) when temperatures are expected to dip slightly to 27 degrees.
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