On Wednesday morning, Galicia experienced an intense weather phenomenon known as a “turbonada,” leaving the region grappling with sudden flooding, fierce winds, and torrential rains.
The storm’s rapid onset and destructive impact caused significant disruptions, particularly in Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra, and Vigo.
A sudden surge of chaos
Shortly before 8.00 am, the serene coastal landscape of Galicia was thrown into disarray. Powerful winds exceeding 150 km/h were recorded in Viveiro’s Penedo do Galo, while Punta Udra in Bueu saw gusts surpassing 112 km/h. Accompanying this were lightning strikes and a brief, torrential downpour that delivered an astonishing eight litres of rain per square metre in just 10 minutes.
In Santiago’s Tambre industrial park, drivers abandoned their vehicles as rising waters surrounded them. Streets turned into rivers, and emergency services struggled to navigate the chaos. Firefighters in Santiago waded through knee-deep water, highlighting the scale of the flash flooding.
Defining a turbonada
A “turbonada,” or quasi-linear convective system (QLCS), is a meteorological term describing a line of thunderstorms, often forming along or ahead of a cold front. It is characterised by sudden and intense increases in wind speed. This is frequently accompanied by severe weather such as heavy rain, hail, and even tornadoes.
In this instance, the clash between an Atlantic storm system and a high-pressure zone created the perfect conditions for the turbonada’s formation. The abrupt and extreme nature of the event underscores its danger. This is paticularly existent in regions like Galicia, where the landscape can amplify flooding risks.
The aftermath
The aftermath of the storm has been severe. Pontevedra and Santiago bore the brunt of the flooding, with infrastructure and daily activities heavily impacted. MeteoGalicia and the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) issued orange alerts for strong winds and high waves, cautioning coastal areas of further disruptions. Wave heights exceeded six metres near Cabo Vilán in the Costa da Morte. Meanwhile, inland winds continued to pose hazards, reaching 133 km/h in Viveiro early Thursday morning.
Despite the turmoil, weather experts indicate the worst of the storm has passed. However, Galicia remains under the influence of Atlantic low-pressure systems. Humid and warm southwesterly winds are contributing to continued instability. Meteorologists expect temperatures to rise, but the risk of further rainfall and strong winds persists.