Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s early burst of summer heat is now colliding with a more unsettled weather pattern in the north, where storms, hail, and strong gusts have prompted fresh alerts.
The latest weather warnings in Spain are most relevant for people in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and parts of Castilla y León. AEMET says Saturday remains unusually warm for the time of year, but storms are now an added risk in the north and north-west.
RTVE reports that a nearby DANA is bringing instability to the north-west of the peninsula, with showers and thunderstorms expected to become stronger during this evening. Some storms may be accompanied by hail and very strong gusts of wind.
What readers need to know this evening
The strongest alerts are affecting northern Spain, especially Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia and nearby mountain areas.
AEMET’s warning pages show storm alerts in Asturias, including the Cordillera and Picos de Europa area, with possible hail and strong gusts. Galicia also has storm alerts, including inland A Coruña, where storms may bring hail and very strong gusts.
In Cantabria, Cadena SER reports that AEMET raised the warning level to orange for storms in several areas between 2pm and 8pm on Saturday. The affected zones include Liébana, Cantabria del Ebro, the centre and the Villaverde valley.
Cantabria faces orange storm risk
The Cantabria warning is the most serious part of the current weather picture.
According to Cadena SER, storms in parts of the region may bring large hail, intense rain and strong wind gusts. After the orange alert period, the warning is expected to drop back to yellow until midnight.
There is also a yellow warning for storms on the coast and more general rainfall, with possible accumulations of up to 15 litres per square metre in an hour. That can be enough to cause sudden surface flooding, especially on roads, in underpasses and in poorly drained urban areas.
Heat has not gone away
For much of Spain, the wider story is still heat.
AEMET’s national forecast for Saturday highlights maximum temperatures that are abnormally high for the time of year. The agency also says probable storms and locally strong showers may affect parts of the north and north-west.
RTVE says temperatures remain high across much of the peninsula, with values above 34C to 36C still possible in large areas of the south-west. The hot spell is not affecting every region in the same way, though. The Cantabrian area is seeing a more notable temperature drop as instability arrives.
Why storms can be dangerous after hot weather
Storms following a hot spell can develop quickly. Warm air helps fuel instability, and conditions can shift fast from bright sunshine to heavy rain, hail and gusty winds.
This matters for people travelling, hiking, camping, cycling or attending outdoor events. It also matters for drivers, especially on mountain roads or exposed routes where hail, sudden rain and crosswinds can make conditions difficult.
In northern Spain, the weather can change sharply within short distances. A warm afternoon in a town or valley can turn into a dangerous storm in nearby hills or mountains.
Advice for anyone in affected areas
Emergency services in Cantabria have urged people to avoid open spaces, elevated areas, metal objects and draughts inside homes during storms. They also recommend unplugging electrical appliances and taking care when driving.
Loose outdoor objects, awnings, parasols and balcony furniture should be secured where storms or strong gusts are expected.
Drivers should slow down in heavy rain, avoid flooded stretches of road and leave extra distance from other vehicles. Anyone walking in the mountains should be ready to turn back if skies darken or thunder is heard.
Sunday may remain unsettled in the north
The weekend change is not expected to end everywhere on Saturday night.
RTVE says showers are also expected on Sunday in the north-west of Spain and the Pyrenees, while most other areas should remain more stable. Temperatures may rise again in parts of the Cantabrian and north-western peninsula, while the Canary Islands could see a local rise, especially in eastern islands.
That means Sunday plans should still be checked against local forecasts, especially in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León and the Pyrenees.
A weekend of contrasts across Spain
This is not a single weather story for the whole country.
Some areas are dealing with unusually high late-May heat. Others are moving into storm risk, hail and sharp local changes. Coastal and mountain zones may also feel very different from nearby inland towns.
Anyone travelling this weekend should check the latest AEMET warnings before setting off. Conditions may be calm in one province and disruptive in the next.
Spain’s weather this weekend is a reminder that late spring can bring summer heat and storm risk at the same time.