Two Atlantic storm systems are expected to bring heavy rain and cooler air to Spain’s northwest this week, while temperatures near 40°C persist along the Mediterranean coast. The sharp contrast will affect residents and local authorities across the country.
Meteored meteorologist Duncan Wingen says the first Atlantic low-pressure system, currently west of Portugal, will weaken by Monday but leave unstable, cooler air in the mid-troposphere. That lingering instability will keep showers and storms active, especially in western regions. By Thursday, a new trough is expected to descend over the Atlantic side, potentially reviving storm activity and prolonging unsettled conditions in the northwest.
Between Monday and Friday, parts of Galicia could see rainfall totals exceeding 100 liters per square meter, particularly in the west and southwest of La Coruña and the Rías Baixas. Vigo is forecast to be Spain’s wettest city, with up to 113 l/m² in just four days, information from European weather models. Impressive rainfall, more than 30 l/m², is also forecast for much of Galicia, Asturias, the northwest of Castilla y León, and the Sierra de Gredos. By contrast, the southeast, including eastern Andalucía, Murcia, and southeastern Castilla-La Mancha, will see little to no rain, and some areas will remain completely dry. In the Canary Islands, showers will mainly affect the northern slopes of the higher islands, while Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are expected to stay dry.
Monday will bring widespread rain to the western half of the peninsula, with several rain bands moving in from Portugal. Galicia, Asturias, western Castilla y León, Sierra de Gredos, and Huelva could receive 10 to 20 l/m². By afternoon, convective clouds may trigger strong storms in northern Aragón and inland Catalonia. On Tuesday, as the first storm system dissipates, rainfall will ease but persist in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and possibly the Basque Country, with 10 to 30 l/m² expected. Showers will be moderate in the morning, then turn into more localized storms later in the day. Wednesday will bring renewed instability as a new trough arrives, with further heavy rain in Galicia, Asturias, and northwest Castilla y León. Up to 40 l/m² could fall in western La Coruña and Pontevedra. By Thursday, rain will continue in Galicia and spread across much of the Cantabrian coast, northern Navarra, Castilla y León, and northern Extremadura. From Friday, high pressure is forecast to build, gradually clearing skies and bringing the rain to an end. A stable, dry weekend is likely.
One of the week’s sharpest features will be the temperature divide. The west and north will see cooler, autumn-like conditions, while the Mediterranean will endure persistent heat. Maximum temperatures are expected to reach 36 to 39°C in the Comunidad Valenciana, Catalonia, Murcia, the Balearic Islands, parts of the Ebro valley, and the eastern edge of Castilla y León. Galicia, the northern plateau, and the Cantabrian coast will remain much cooler, with some areas not exceeding 27°C. Nights will also be unusually cold for the season across much of the interior, especially in the northwest, where minimums could drop below 15°C and even below 10°C in the northern plateau and mountain areas. Along the Mediterranean coast, tropical or even torrid nights will continue, tempered by the sea.
Sharp weather contrasts have become more frequent in Spain in recent years. As noted in recent coverage of sudden temperature drops and heavy rainfall, these swings challenge local infrastructure and emergency planning. The forecast calls for residents in affected regions to stay alert for possible flooding, especially in Galicia. Along the Mediterranean, people should prepare for continued high temperatures and related health risks.
Spain’s varied geography often produces sharp regional differences in weather. Atlantic systems bring rain and cooler air to the northwest, while the Mediterranean remains under the influence of subtropical high pressure. This week, the competing air masses are expected to affect agriculture and water management, as well as daily routines. Authorities in regions expecting heavy rain are monitoring river levels and drainage systems, while health advisories remain in place for areas facing extreme heat. Local forecasts and preparedness matter as Spain faces another week of contrasting conditions.
