Lorraine Williamson
Currently, I’m writing this article basked in the warm sunshine of Marbella, where clear blue skies and calm breezes characterise the day. However, this pleasant weather is not shared across the country.
Today, the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) has issued several weather warnings for large swathes of central, northern, and eastern Spain. From thunderstorms to hail and strong winds, many regions are bracing for a volatile shift in conditions.
What do the weather warnings in Spain mean?
AEMET uses a four-colour alert system to signal risk:
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Red indicates extreme risk
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Orange means important risk
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Yellow signals moderate risk
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Green means no risk
While southern Spain remains in the green zone today, several inland and northern areas have moved to yellow or orange status. Thunderstorms and heavy downpours could become widespread by this afternoon, with some regions even expecting hail and flash flooding.
Northern and eastern Spain: Storms, hail, and high winds
The unstable weather system, caused by a DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos), is currently hovering over northwestern Spain. It is dragging moisture-rich air across the peninsula, which is expected to trigger heavy showers and thunderstorms, especially by the afternoon.
According to AEMET, the Cantabrian coast, upper Ebro valley, western Pyrenees, and parts of eastern inland Spain could experience very strong storms, with hail and possible flash flooding. Showers will likely be widespread across the northern half and eastern third of Spain.
High in the mountains of the north, light snow may fall above 1,800 to 2,000 metres. In Balearic Islands, occasional light rain is possible, although much of the day will remain cloudy.
Calm in the south, but winds picking up
In contrast, the southwestern quadrant and southeastern coast – including Andalucía – should remain mostly dry, with little chance of rain. Perfect if you are planning a trip to the beach, in Marbella, Málaga, and along the Costa del Sol.
However, winds are expected to pick up later in the day across much of the country. Gusty easterly and southerly winds will shift westward by evening, especially around Galicia, the Cantabrian coast, and the Balearics. In the Canary Islands, strong southwesterly winds may reach gale-force in higher-altitude areas, particularly in La Palma.
Temperatures: Rising in the north, dropping in the northwest
Maximum temperatures will rise slightly in areas such as the Basque Country and Catalonia, but may fall in Galicia, Aragón, and parts of Navarra. Elsewhere, little change is expected.
Minimum temperatures will dip across much of the western half of the country, though some areas in the east and northeast may feel a mild increase overnight.
Meanwhile, there’s a chance of light calima drifting into Balearic skies, reducing visibility.
Stay weather-aware
While the sun continues to shine here in Marbella, the broader picture tells a story of rapidly changing conditions across Spain. This is typical for spring – a season that often brings contrast, unpredictability, and beauty in equal measure.
As ever, AEMET encourages residents and travellers to stay updated with live forecasts and take note of regional alerts, particularly in areas with an orange or yellow warning.