Reconstructing Extreme Weather Events in the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula: Lessons from the Winter of 1944/45

This study analyzes temperature and precipitation observations recorded by the network of the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) in the Segura River Basin (DHS), located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, during the winter of 1944/45. A torrential precipitation event between December 24 and 28 was followed by a snow and extreme cold event between January 11 and 14, with some stations recording over 250 mm during both episodes. Between these events, unusually cold temperature anomalies were observed. This accumulation of extreme weather phenomena had significant socioeconomic impacts, which we documented using regional press sources. These reports describe large areas isolated by snow for weeks, river overflows, disrupted communications, and substantial impacts on economic activities. Using the ERA5 reanalysis, we evaluated the uniqueness of these extreme events, identifying their analogs since 1940 based on surface pressure anomaly patterns, 500 mb geopotential height, and 850 mb temperature. The results show that warmer climatic conditions have reduced the frequency of these events, while intensifying winter precipitation extremes and decreasing the duration and magnitude of cold episodes in the region. This finding aligns with climate change projections for the region during the current century. Through this study, we characterize the dynamics of past extreme weather events in the Mediterranean, contributing to an improved understanding of present and future extreme events.