Lorraine Williamson
From flash floods to plummeting temperatures, Spain’s mid-summer weather has taken a wild turn — but relief is in sight by the weekend.
Much of Spain is experiencing an abrupt and unseasonal drop in temperatures, as storms sweep across the country following the arrival of a low-pressure system. The sharp cooling—by up to 10ºC—has triggered widespread weather warnings, with rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds disrupting normal summer conditions. But the turbulent spell will be short-lived, as heat returns in force by the weekend.
Weather chaos in multiple regions
Since Wednesday, the system has brought instability across large parts of Spain. The north, east, and Balearic Islands are among the worst affected, with thick cloud cover, downpours, and localised storms leaving their mark. Spanish meteorological agencies Aemet and Meteored confirm that these conditions are expected to last until Friday.
On Thursday, code orange warnings were issued for six provinces:
- Barcelona
- Tarragona
- Cuenca
- Albacete
- Ibiza
- Formentera
This is due to a combination of torrential rain, high winds, and rough seas. Another ten provinces, including Alicante, Valencia, Murcia, Castellón and Mallorca, were placed on yellow alert. Meanwhile, the Canary Islands braced for wind gusts reaching 80 km/h.
Hail, coastal storms and unseasonal lows
Eastern Andalucia, eastern Castilla-La Mancha, and the Balearic Islands bore the brunt of violent thunderstorms on Thursday, with hail reported in several areas. Coastal zones and parts of the interior have also seen intense rainfall. By contrast, in the northern third of the country, the showers have remained lighter and patchier.
Strong northerly winds are intensifying the chill, particularly along the eastern seaboard and in the Balearic Islands. There have even been reports of light sandstorms in Melilla and parts of the Balearics, along with early-morning fog in northern regions.
Night-time temperatures have plunged well below seasonal norms. Cities like León, Burgos and Vitoria are now experiencing overnight lows of 10–12°C, while daytime highs hover around 25°C—more in line with late spring than the height of July.
Weekend forecast: From jackets back to sunscreen
The sharp drop won’t last long. As the low-pressure system weakens and moves away by Friday, calm is expected to return across most of the country.
By Saturday, southern Spain is forecast to sizzle once again, with temperatures soaring to 40°C in Andalucia and Extremadura. Further north, areas such as Madrid, Zaragoza and parts of Catalonia are likely to see 35°C or higher by Sunday.
The Canary Islands will also enjoy a change in pace. After a windy and cloudy spell, the trade winds are expected to ease and sunshine will return across the islands—particularly in the south—bringing a more typical summer feel by the weekend.
Weather whiplash: A reminder of climate extremes
This rapid flip between storms and soaring temperatures is part of a growing pattern of climate volatility across Spain. Sudden shifts from heatwaves to hailstorms are no longer rare, complicating everything from holiday plans to agriculture. While the return of the sun may bring temporary comfort, such events reinforce the reality of weather unpredictability in an era of accelerating climate change.
Source: 20 minutos