Else Beekman
The severe weather caused by Storm Laurence has claimed three lives in Spain. A couple from Constantina lost their lives after their car was swept away by a sudden rise in a stream. A cyclist was also found dead in a riverbed in Córdoba. Storm Laurence has now passed but has made way for the powerful Atlantic storm Martinho.
So, while Spain officially welcomes spring, the weather seems to be heading in a completely different direction. On Thursday, Martinho brings heavy rainfall, stormy winds, and high waves. Residents, especially in the west and south of the country, must brace themselves once again for wet and turbulent conditions.
Martinho mainly affects Extremadura and Andalucia
The heaviest rainfall is expected in Castilla y León, Extremadura, and western Andalucia. In provinces such as Ávila, Salamanca, Zamora, Cáceres, and Huelva, persistent rain throughout the day could lead to significant water accumulation in a short period.
Authorities in Extremadura and Andalucia are already on high alert for potential flooding. Water levels in the Guadalquivir, Tajo, and Guadiana rivers have risen significantly due to the heavy rains of recent weeks and are being closely monitored. In Madrid, sections of the Manzanares and Guadarrama rivers have already overflowed, causing local flooding. ‘Be aware of potential rises in water levels,’ AEMET has warned.
Hurricane-force winds and high waves along the coast
Not only rain but also strong winds and high waves pose hazardous conditions. In northern regions such as Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h are expected. Areas like Picos de Europa in Asturias, Liébana in Cantabria, and high-altitude regions of Castilla y León have been classified as high-risk zones. AEMET warns that in elevated areas, hurricane gusts could even reach around 120 km/h.
In addition, Castilla-La Mancha, the Madrid region, and the Ebro Valley will also experience intense winds, potentially disrupting road traffic and causing issues with urban infrastructure.
Therefore, the Spanish meteorological agency has issued warnings for strong winds and high waves along the Atlantic and Cantabrian coasts, where waves could reach up to 7 metres.
A spring with a wintery touch
After a relatively mild winter, large parts of Spain will now experience a drop in temperatures starting Thursday. By Sunday, maximum temperatures in the Madrid region will have dropped to around 10°C during the day, while the snowline will lower to 1000-1400 metres. For those hoping for a sunny start to spring, this weekend will feel more like winter. Only those on Spain’s eastern coast, in regions like Valencia and Murcia, can enjoy maximum temperatures around 20°C.
AEMET expects that ‘Martinho’ will maintain its influence over the Iberian Peninsula at least until the weekend. As the front moves further east, precipitation is also likely to reach regions such as Catalonia and the Valencia region, albeit with less intensity.
What else can Spain expect?
According to meteorologists, Martinho may be the first in a series of spring storms. While recent weather patterns have been dominated by south-westerly airflows, the atmosphere remains unstable. Next week, new disturbances are expected, possibly with a north-westerly origin, bringing continued unsettled weather.
Authorities are once again urging great caution, particularly in flood-prone areas and regions where rainfall is expected to persist throughout the day.
Also read: Storm chaos in Seville: women injured as storm Konrad wreaks havoc