Albacete is on orange alert for intense rain and storms, with meteorologists warning of a sudden drop in temperatures and unsettled weather. The risk extends to nearby towns, and residents are advised to prepare for possible disruptions.
Albacete will wake up Thursday to an orange alert for rain and a yellow warning for storms. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) expects thick clouds, heavy rain, and a sharp drop in temperatures, making for a difficult day for anyone out and about.
Rain is forecast to reach 14 litres per square metre by 7:00 a.m., with the heaviest downpours likely in the early morning. Thunderstorms could hit before midday, and more storms are possible later in the day. As the hours pass, the rain should ease into lighter showers, but the sky will stay overcast until night. Temperatures will struggle to reach 24°C in the afternoon, with lows around 14°C. AEMET has set the orange alert for Albacete from 03:00 to 12:00, warning that rainfall could reach up to 30 litres per square metre in an hour in areas like La Mancha, Alcaraz, Segura, Hellín, and Almansa. This is expected to be a short, intense burst of rain, with the risk of thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds, especially in the east and south of the province, according to regional media and official warnings.
On September 17, preventive measures in Albacete included the closure of parks and suspension of some fair events due to the risk of heavy rain.
— Ground News
Friday's forecast offers little relief. Cloudy skies will linger from early morning through midday, and rain is expected to return after noon. Temperatures will stay much the same, with highs around 25°C and lows near 16°C, and the lowest perceived temperature close to 14°C. The unsettled weather is set to continue, and RTVE, citing AEMET, notes that the yellow alert for storms may remain in place, with more showers and possible local disruptions.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Saturday will bring more clouds, but the rain should let up. Temperatures will rise slightly, with highs above 26°C and lows near 13°C. By Sunday, the clouds are expected to clear, and temperatures will climb to 28°C. Winds, mostly absent during the week, are not expected to return until after the weekend.
The effects of this weather system will reach beyond Albacete. In Tomelloso, residents can expect a grey, rainy morning, with showers off and on into the late afternoon. Temperatures there will range from 12°C to 27°C. Murcia will also see heavy clouds and storms in the morning, followed by scattered showers and temperatures between 18°C and 25°C. Other towns in the region—including Elche, Valencia, Alicante, Gandia, Torrevieja, Benidorm, Bilbao, Jerez de la Frontera, Getxo, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Níjar, Linares, Córdoba, and Figueres—are all set for varying degrees of cloud and rain, according to AEMET's provisional data.
The official AEMET warning map showed that on September 17, not only Albacete but also regions such as the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Murcia, and Andalusia were under weather alerts for storms and heavy rain, indicating a widespread front of unstable weather across southeastern Spain.
— RTVE
Forecasts may change as new data comes in, but for now, Albacete and nearby towns should prepare for a day of difficult weather, with possible disruptions to daily routines and travel. The sudden drop in temperature and steady rain mark a clear shift from recent conditions, showing how unpredictable early summer can be in this part of Spain. For now, anyone heading out in Albacete or the surrounding region will need to stay alert and flexible.
