Lorraine Williamson
Friday has started with fresh weather warnings across parts of Andalucia, with the main concern focused on the coast rather than widespread heavy rain. For readers on the Costa del Sol and elsewhere along the southern shoreline, the biggest issues are rough seas, strong gusts, and a generally unsettled feel at the start of the day.
According to AEMET’s warning map for Friday, 20 March, parts of Málaga and Cádiz are under yellow alerts for rain, while coastal alerts are in force further east as well. The most significant warnings are for sea conditions, with orange alerts for rough seas in Almería, Granada and Málaga, and yellow coastal warnings also affecting Cádiz.
That means the day’s biggest disruption risk is likely to come from the shoreline. AEMET’s warning summaries point to strong easterly and north-easterly winds, with waves of around three to four metres in some coastal stretches. On an exposed day like this, promenades, beaches, ports and sea-front roads can all feel the impact even when rain totals remain relatively modest.
In Málaga province, AEMET is also flagging yellow rain warnings for areas including Sol y Guadalhorce and Axarquía, with forecast accumulations of around 15 mm in an hour in the warning text. That does not necessarily point to a major storm event on its own, but after a very wet spell in parts of Spain, even short bursts of rain can make driving conditions worse and add to local disruption.
The broader backdrop is the approach of Storm Therese, which has already brought severe weather to the Canary Islands and is helping to drive a more unsettled pattern across parts of Spain as spring begins. National reporting on Friday says the south is among the areas feeling the first effects, particularly around the Gulf of Cádiz, the Strait and the Alborán coast.
For Costa del Sol readers, this is one of those days when the headline may not be dramatic, but the practical advice matters. Beach plans may be less appealing, smaller boats could face difficult conditions, and anyone travelling along exposed coastal routes should allow extra time and keep an eye on official updates. Drivers are being advised to check DGT’s live traffic map before travelling, as road incidents and restrictions are updated in real time
What to expect across the rest of Friday
The picture is mixed rather than uniformly severe. Some areas will simply notice a blustery, grey start to the day, while others could see sharper spells of rain or more turbulent sea conditions. The strongest concern remains the coast, especially where wind and swell combine to create more hazardous conditions than the rainfall totals alone might suggest.
With spring officially beginning today, the timing is a reminder that March in southern Spain can still turn volatile very quickly. After calm or bright intervals, a day can shift into something much rougher along the shore, particularly in the Strait, Alborán and Mediterranean-facing stretches of Andalucia.
Coastal caution is the main message today
The clearest takeaway for Friday is simple: this is more of a sea-and-wind warning day than a classic all-day rain event. For most people, that means checking conditions before heading to the coast, taking extra care near exposed sea fronts, and following any updated AEMET advice as the day develops.