El terral de Málaga, mitos y realidades

Abstract

Generically, any coastal wind that blows from land to sea is called “terral”. In a narrow coastal strip centered on the city of Malaga, the mentioned wind acquires unique characteristics, causing sudden increases in temperature and other effects, both in the air and on the sea surface. Several myths have emerged around terral, based on false popular beliefs, such as that it is a wind that comes from Africa. A distinction can be made between a warm summer terral and a “cold” winter one, which also breaks out in autumn and spring. Based on several case studies, this work characterizes the local wind in detail, describing its main singularities. It also presents some temperature records achieved in Malaga under terral situations. In recent years, it has been observed how the autumn and winter terral is not as cold and more “taro” (maritime fog) forms, which invites us to think about a possible relationship with climate change.