Else Beekman
Intense storms, torrential rain, large hail and coastal hazards are expected to affect parts of the country through to Friday. Therefore, Spain’s national weather agency AEMET has issued severe weather warnings for seven regions, including Catalonia, the Valencian Community and the Canary Islands.
he most serious warnings are in place for Catalonia and the northern areas of the Valencian Community, where orange alerts have been activated for heavy rainfall, up to 40 litres per square metre in just one hour. According to forecasts, storms may also bring large hail and localised flooding, particularly in urban areas and low-lying zones.
Catalonia activates flood emergency plannen
In response, Catalonia’s civil protection service has activated the INUNCAT flood emergency plan from Wednesday through Thursday, especially for northern counties and coastal areas of Barcelona and Tarragona. The Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya warns that rainfall could exceed 40 litres per square metre in just 30 minutes, with local accumulations of over 100 litres per square metre within 24 hours in some areas.
Intense storms until Friday
Weather agencies expect the intense storms to begin on Wednesday afternoon and continue intermittently until Friday. While the severity is likely to lessen by Thursday, rainfall may still pose risks in southern coastal areas. Meteorologists say wind gusts could help disperse storm systems, reducing the risk of prolonged flooding in certain areas.
Orange alert for northern Castellón
In the Valencian Community, the Generalitat has issued an orange alert for the northern part of Castellón province from midday until midnight on Wednesday. Forecasts indicate up to 40 litres of rain per square metre in an hour and 80 litres over 12 hours, alongside large hail. A yellow alert is also in place for the interior south of Castellón, where thunderstorms may bring up to 20 litres of rain per square metre.
Emergency services have urged the public to take extreme care, particularly in cities, underpasses, areas near rivers or storm drains, and flood-prone zones.
Yellow warnings for Aragón and Navarra
Elsewhere, yellow warnings are active in Aragón and Navarra due to expected rainfall of up to 15 litres per square metre in one hour, along with potential hail. High temperatures have triggered alerts in Albacete and the Murcia region, where maximums could reach between 36°C and 38°C. The Canary Islands are facing strong winds, with gusts of up to 80 km/h, while weather experts place Menorca on alert for meteotsunamis (rissagas).
In La Rioja, meteorologists forecast scattered showers, particularly in mountainous areas and La Rioja Alta. AEMET also anticipates a noticeable drop in daytime temperatures and moderate north-westerly winds.
Authorities advise residents and visitors to stay informed via official channels and avoid travel or outdoor activities during peak weather events.