This year's Spring weather
This year's Spring weather ...
Dear reader,
As I sit at my desk, tapping away at the keys on’t laptop, the sun is shining away outside the window and what clouds are visible are a goodly distance away up the valley and showing no signs of wanting to progress nearer. Such has not been the case this spring! Most un-Spain like, it has been to be sure! I know that the automated response to that is, “Global Warming” effect, and that is most probably true, but are the reasons for the warming all as professed by our glorious leaders? Of that I am not so sure. Apparently, magnetic North is way out of sync with where it would be expected and the whole core of the planet is on the move. It’s all happened before, of course. Several times. So, you can’t blame car exhaust output for everything, but it is all a little disconcerting, nonetheless.
This May 2025, we experienced a mix of typical spring weather and notable anomalies. May typically brings moderate rainfall to Gandia, averaging 27.6 mm over about 21 days. This year, early May was marked by a significant storm system that resulted in some heavy rains. Subsequently, the region experienced a rapid transition to warmer, drier conditions afterwards.
Historically, May in Gandia sees average high temperatures around 26.8°C (80.2°F) and lows near 15.2°C (59.4°F). However, this year brought significant warmth:
- May 19: Temperatures soared to 31°C in Villalonga and 30°C in several other La Safor towns.
- May 20: Gandia and Oliva experienced their first "noche tropical" of the year, with nighttime lows remaining at 20°C.
These temperatures are notably higher than the historical averages, indicating an early onset of summer-like conditions.
In mid-May, the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued a rare Status Orange alert for parts of Spain, including the Valencian Community, due to a complex weather system bringing storms, hail, and temperature fluctuations. While Gandia was not specifically highlighted, we were hit with a deluge of rainfall. Our pool took six inches of fill up in less than twenty-four hours! But you know what? Here in the La Safor area, the mountains protected us again, I believe. There were flash floods and chaos in many places in Spain, but here in the Gandia area, we are ringed with mountains, and I’m convinced that yet again, the worst of the weather was diverted around us by their presence. We did have a couple of power outages of course but the power was back up in less than thirty minutes each time.
Interestingly, during the big European power outage, recently, I was surprised how many solar panelled properties were in darkness as the owners of these properties had not invested in ''back up batteries'' so, of course, as soon as the sun dropped towards the horizon, they had no more electricity than we. It's quite interesting how everyone quickly goes into ‘hunter gatherer’ pioneer mode actually. Sales of mini generators in Leroy Merlin, went through the roof. Battery powered lights and solar charged lights similarly leapt off the shelves.
The following day, there were not many electric cars on the road! No electricity at home, also meant no charging points at garages. Of course, it meant that there was no fossil refuelling either, but if the car battery wasn’t charged up very much, range fear set in. Basically, this outage served to remind us all how easy it would be to be knocked back into the dark ages. Quite literally! We are in the market for one of the little generators! Oh, and a radio that is self-powered. Major power outage means no internet. No internet means no TV or radio, similarly no mobile phones because the transmitters cannot function, so the little battery powered radio could be the only form of contact with the outside world if it ever happens again? Eeeeee! It’s a crazy world that we live in!
We went down to the waterfront just the other day, it doesn’t take much to remind yourself why we are here. The sun shone (Yes, you just said – Ed), beer is two euros a pint and we enjoyed a quite passable basic lunch with drinks for less than fifteen quid sterling equivalent whilst watching the local fishing trawlers going about their business and enjoying the sunlight reflecting off the water and the quieter pace of life before the summer tourists arrive. Of course, here, summer tourists are ninety-five per cent Spanish, from Madrid, but the whole character of the ‘Grau’ changes, nonetheless during the high season. We are lucky that there are 12 klm of sandy beaches that stretch down the coast, as its a Spanish holiday destination then from about 2.30pm to 6.30pm the beaches empty for long lunches and a good siesta, so thats the perfect time to visit the beach when they are practically empty, especially the smaller village beaches that stretch down the coast (thats a real bonus for us!). We still enjoy walking down the Gandia paseo in the town. Almost a kilometre of paved walkway lined with huge trees and cafes with streets off leading through the shops and places of interest. It’s not at all uncommon for us to be in town and end up attending an exhibition in the culture centre that we didn’t even know was on. Always free of charge, and when you add in free and cheap parking, it’s really no surprise that the town is always busy and people will sit and drink a ‘canya’ or a ‘café con leche’ with friends, with absolutely no rush to get back to their vehicles. Yes, the whole character of Spain lights up with the sun shining. It becomes of itself. For a little while, it’s nice to sit in front of a log fire during the winter and watch some daft ‘telly.’ But it doesn’t take long before the need for sun returns.
Of note, is that we keep finding, or have recommended to us, different cafes and restaurants. We have a favourite café on the paseo, that we use regularly, but last week went to a very nice Japanese Sushi restaurant with friends. We have walked past it several times but never strayed inside. I’m not really a Sushi person, I admit, but my lovely other half quite likes it, and I was surprised how much I liked it. Everything seemed very fresh and well prepared. Certainly, a place to return to. And obviously, Bobs Burgers has done really well, because now they have moved into a premises in the town centre and have changed to a posh van with outdoor service in the Grau. Oh yes, it’s not all about Paella and Fedua here you know!
Until next time.
Nos vemos!
