The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has placed Granada and most of its province under a yellow alert for heavy rain, marking a sharp change in the weather. Only coastal areas are excluded. Intense downpours and storms are expected to disrupt daily life from Friday afternoon.
Aemet forecasts a 40% to 70% chance of rainfall reaching up to 15 mm per hour, enough to cause localised flooding and hazardous driving conditions. The alert is active from 14:00 to 20:00 on Friday, though clouds may gather over the city and surrounding areas as early as midday.
The unsettled weather extends beyond Granada. Neighbouring Almería faces even higher alert levels, while the Balearic Islands have been under an orange warning, part of a broader pattern of unstable conditions across eastern and southeastern Spain.
Residents in the Cuenca del Genil, Guadix, Baza, Nevada and Alpujarras regions should prepare for the storm. Although the official risk level remains 'low', sudden, heavy showers and thunderstorms are possible. The capital is expected to see the heaviest rainfall in the late afternoon, with similar conditions forecast across the rest of the province.
Despite the unsettled skies, temperatures are expected to remain steady, with highs around 30°C and lows near 15°C. Rain will arrive without the typical temperature drop that often signals a cold front, leaving the region humid and unstable. Aemet had earlier warned of a shift from hot, dry conditions to a wetter, stormier pattern.
Saturday is unlikely to bring much relief. The morning may start dry, but Aemet predicts rain will return by early afternoon, affecting nearly the entire province except the northwest. The capital and its metropolitan area are again expected to be hardest hit, with showers likely to continue until 20:00. Unsettled conditions are expected to persist through Saturday, then gradually improve on Sunday, although isolated weak showers may still occur.
This spell of wet weather follows a period of relative calm in Granada. Its arrival at the start of the weekend could affect residents and businesses with outdoor plans or travel arrangements. Strong, short-lived storms may cause disruption.
Aemet's decision to maintain the yellow alert despite the 'low' official risk reflects caution over Granada's varied terrain and the potential for rapid changes in conditions. Residents are advised to follow updates and prepare carefully for the forecast.
