Lorraine Williamson
A new DANA is set to keep parts of Spain unsettled through Wednesday, with rain, snow, and rough sea conditions expected in several regions after a stormy start to the week. The latest forecasts suggest the worst of the instability will not end tonight, making this one of those weather stories that matters just as much for Tuesday morning as it does for Monday evening.
According to AEMET’s national forecast, instability will continue across the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands under the influence of the weather system, with widespread cloud cover and further rain expected. El País, citing AEMET spokesperson Rubén del Campo, said the DANA will affect Spain from Monday to Wednesday, with the heaviest conditions likely in parts of the Mediterranean side and the Balearics before conditions begin to improve later in the week.
Where the weather is expected to bite hardest
The areas facing the greatest risk are not all the same. On Monday, AEMET warnings included rain and storms in parts of north-east Catalonia, snow warnings in mountain areas of the north and centre, and coastal warnings in places such as Galicia, while broader forecasts pointed to instability also affecting the Balearic Islands and parts of the east. El País reported that six autonomous communities were under yellow alert on Monday, with snow warnings in mountain areas and rain or coastal alerts elsewhere.
The broad pattern is also shifting rather than staying fixed in one place. Forecasts suggest the DANA will move southwards on Tuesday, bringing more rain to eastern parts of the Peninsula and keeping unsettled conditions in play before a likely improvement from Wednesday onwards. That means tonight’s article has practical value for readers planning early journeys tomorrow, especially in areas where overnight rain, mountain snow or coastal conditions could affect travel.
Snow, storms and colder conditions for some areas
This is not only a rain story. AEMET-backed reporting says snow is expected in mountain zones, with snow levels moving between roughly 800 and 1,500 metres, depending on the area and the timing of the system. Some forecasts also mention the risk of thunderstorms and occasional hail, especially in parts of the north-east and Mediterranean side.
Temperatures are also behaving unevenly. Maximums are expected to fall in parts of the west, especially Galicia, while some Mediterranean coastal areas may see milder daytime values. That contrast is typical of these spring transition systems in Spain, where the same weather pattern can mean snow in one region and heavy rain or squally coastal conditions in another. The second sentence is an inference based on the forecast pattern described by AEMET and media reports.
Why drivers should not treat this as a routine forecast
For motorists, the issue is less about headline drama and more about timing and location. Even where warnings remain at the yellow level, rain can quickly make visibility worse, increase surface water and turn secondary roads more hazardous, while snow in upland areas can complicate early-morning travel. That is especially relevant after recent weeks in which repeated wet weather has already left some areas vulnerable. The practical risk assessment here is an inference based on the forecast conditions and AEMET warnings.
DGT has previously urged drivers during similar wet and wintry episodes to plan journeys carefully, check road conditions before setting off, and avoid unnecessary travel in flood-prone areas. It also reminds motorists to carry appropriate winter equipment, such as chains or suitable tyres, when snow is forecast. While that DGT guidance was issued during an earlier February episode, it remains directly relevant tonight given the renewed combination of rain and snow warnings.
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What to expect next
The good news is that this does not look like an endless washout. El País reported that conditions should begin to improve from Wednesday, with Thursday expected to be more stable in much of the country. However, the same forecast also points to the possibility of a new Atlantic front arriving later in the week, which could bring fresh rain to northern areas by Friday and Saturday.
For tonight, though, the message is simpler. Spain is still in the middle of an unsettled spell, the new DANA has not finished with the Peninsula yet, and readers with plans for Tuesday morning would be wise to check AEMET warnings and road conditions before travelling. In early March, that can make the difference between an inconvenient journey and a dangerous one. The final sentence is an inference based on the forecast and official warning pattern.