A heat burst struck Spain’s Costa Tropical on August 17, 2025, prompting beach evacuations in Motril, Salobreña and Torrenueva Costa as the temperature spiked to 40.1°C (104°F) and wind gusts reached 87 km/h (54 mph), according to AEMET and local authorities.
A heat burst, known locally as a reventón térmico and referred to by some media outlets as Satan’s Storm, hit Spain’s Costa Tropical, Granada Province around 19:50 local time (LT) on August 17. According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the event caused a sudden temperature rise to 40.1°C (104°F) and wind gusts up to 87 km/h (54 mph).
The episode affected beaches in Motril, Salobreña, Torrenueva Costa, and nearby areas, where winds lifted umbrellas and other equipment, prompting rapid beach clearances. Local media, citing 112 Andalucía, reported nearly 20 calls about flying objects, falling branches, and swimmers in difficulty.
The Guardia Civil maritime service and Salvamento Marítimo rescued five people: three near Playa de la Joya/Carchuna and two who were assisted by a motorboat. They transferred to Motril port, with patrols maintained to ensure that no additional persons were in danger.
Footage from Torrenueva Costa shows a waterspout offshore during the heat-burst winds; some outlets described a “small tornado,” a characterization not confirmed by AEMET.
Local authorities in Motril and Almuñécar advised residents to avoid going outside during the episode and exercise caution on the coast, according to municipal communications reported by local media.
The episode occurred during ongoing hot conditions in southern Spain, with heat warnings in effect for parts of Andalusia around the same period, according to AEMET.
The term “Satan’s Storm” is an informal nickname popularized by media outlets, including The Weather Channel, to describe this type of heat burst due to its suddenness, extreme heat, and destructive winds.
The nickname traces back to a notable heat burst that occurred in Kopperl, Texas, on June 15, 1960. During that event, collapsing storm remnants caused wind gusts estimated at over 120 km/h (75 mph) and nighttime temperatures reportedly exceeding 60°C (140°F), causing panic and damage across the area.
Local residents described the conditions as “hellish,” and the name “Satan’s Storm” became embedded in regional folklore. Since then, the term has occasionally resurfaced in media to describe similar events that evoke fear due to their rare and hazardous nature.
References:
1 Rescatan a cinco personas a la deriva a consecuencia del reventón térmico en la Costa Tropical – Granada Hoy – August 18, 2025
Featured image credit: Solarpix (stillshot)