A powerful cyclone swept across northern and eastern Spain today. Authorities in several autonomous communities declared an orange-level weather alert. Residents of Mallorca, Barcelona, Lleida, Tarragona, La Coruña, Pontevedra, as well as the Basque Country, Asturias, and Cantabria woke up to the roar of heavy rain and gusty winds. In some areas, a month’s worth of rain fell in just a few hours, causing traffic jams from fallen trees and flooding.
The situation is especially severe along the Catalan coast. Emergency services received hundreds of calls just this morning about storm-related incidents. Regional authorities decided to suspend classes at most universities to keep students and staff safe. Residents received emergency alerts on their phones, urging them not to leave home unless necessary and to stay away from rivers and ravines.
The abnormal weather is affecting not only the mainland. The Balearic and Canary Islands are also seeing heavy rain and a sharp drop in temperatures. In the Pyrenees, snow has fallen above 1,600 meters, and in some mountain areas, temperatures have dropped below zero. Winds have reached hurricane strength in some places, especially in northern Galicia, on the Pyrenees slopes, and along the Catalan coast.
Meteorologists warn that weather conditions will change throughout the day. By evening, winds are expected to die down and rain will gradually cease in most affected regions. However, residents are advised to remain cautious, as local flooding and transport disruptions may persist until the end of the day. In the coming days, temperatures will stay below seasonal norms, and overnight frosts are possible in mountainous areas.
