Málaga is bracing for yet another bout of extreme weather. Forecasts are indicating that a cyclogenesis with heavy rainfall could pose a danger to residents. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET has raised the alert level to orange, signalling potentially hazardous downpours from Wednesday onwards.
The heaviest rainfall is expected between Wednesday and Thursday, particularly affecting the following areas;
- Málaga city
- Guadalhorce Valley
- Costa del Sol
- Axarquía region
A more complex storm brewing
This incoming weather system is set to be more complex than the previous storm, according to Jesús Riesco, director of AEMET in Málaga. Initially, a DANA (High Altitude Isolated Depression) was expected to impact the area, but its trajectory has shifted southwestward, increasing the unpredictability of the situation.
By midweek, the DANA will transition into a new phenomenon known as a Baja Fría Aislada (BFA). This is a low-pressure system developing near the surface, referred to as cyclogenesis. The presence of this surface cyclone makes the upcoming conditions significantly different from previous weather patterns, which could result in more intense and widespread downpours.
Heavy rainfall
The orange alert issued by Aemet for Wednesday covers the city of Málaga, central Costa del Sol, the Guadalhorce Valley, and the Axarquía. Rainfall could reach alarming levels, with estimates suggesting downpours of up to 60 litres per square metre within an hour, and between 80 to 120 litres per square metre over twelve hours. These levels present a substantial risk of flooding in the affected areas. In particular, Guadalhorce as some areas are still recovering from previous floods.
Early predictions also indicate the potential for more than 100 litres per square metre of rainfall in the Málaga metropolitan area and nearby regions. Though rain levels might decrease slightly by Thursday, uncertainty remains. Therefore, AEMET has not ruled out extending alerts further.
Lower temperatures
Adding to the storm’s severity, temperatures are expected to plummet. Maximum temperatures will drop to just 17°C along the coast, down from 24°C over the past weekend. In inland areas like Antequera, temperatures are expected to fall to a chilly 13°C.
Also read: Álora in Málaga faces fourth day without drinkable water amid post-DANA crisis