Heavy rain has closed part of the Ronda de Dalt and disrupted metro and train services across Barcelona province. Air travel was also affected. Around a hundred flights were suspended, train services stopped and several rivers reached risk levels.
Protección Civil sent an ES-Alert to residents across the Barcelona metropolitan area last night, warning of a red alert for intense rain this morning. The storm brought the conditions forecast as it crossed the province. The alert covered coastal and pre-coastal districts, not Barcelona city alone.
Meteocat classified the rainfall threat at level 5 out of 6 for intensity. For the most dangerous period on the morning of 29 September, forecasts in some areas indicated more than 40 millimetres in 30 minutes and over 90 millimetres in three hours.
The Penedès and Anoia regions saw some of the heaviest rain in the early hours, with up to 120 millimetres recorded, equivalent to 120 litres per square metre. The downpour later moved towards Baix Llobregat and Barcelonès. Barcelona itself recorded up to 75 millimetres at the Observatorio Fabra.
Several rivers have reached risk levels, adding to the danger for transport. Flooded routes and rising water are affecting roads and public services at the same time.
RTVE reported that Renfe announced a temporary suspension of some high-speed and regional services in Catalonia from 9:00 to 11:00 because of the storm forecast. At the start of the episode, authorities had not announced a general closure of schools or broad restrictions on mobility.
The effect on travellers is direct. A closed section of the Ronda de Dalt blocks one of Barcelona’s basic road routes, while metro incidents make movement within the city harder. Train suspensions extend the disruption beyond the roads. Roughly a hundred canceled flights also affect passengers using the province’s air connections.
The weather alert became a travel emergency within hours. Rain first hit inland and western parts of the province, then reached the metropolitan area, disrupting transport links and raising river levels. Residents are facing a growing number of stopped services.
Protección Civil warned residents about the red alert in advance, advising them to avoid unnecessary travel and leave cars at home. It also urged them to stay away from underground spaces and call 112 when necessary. The warning did not prevent the closures and suspensions. The figures show that the rain was not confined to one area: Penedès and Anoia recorded 120 millimetres, while the Observatorio Fabra recorded 75 millimetres. The heaviest impact later moved towards Baix Llobregat and Barcelonès.
Roads are flooded. Train services are suspended, while flights have been canceled and metro services affected. The storm has interrupted transport networks across the province, and river levels remain at risk.
