Spain’s weather agency AEMET has put five eastern regions on orange alert, forecasting up to 60 litres of rain per square metre in one hour today. Aragón, Baleares, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña and the Comunidad Valenciana are preparing for violent storms, with emergency protocols already in place. AEMET bulletins and reports from EFE and RTVE say emergency services are on high alert for flash floods and dangerous winds.
The Comunidad Valenciana faces the highest risk. Forecasts call for 50 to 60 litres of rain per square metre in an hour, with totals of 80 to 160 litres possible in some areas over twelve hours. Strong winds and hail are also likely. Local authorities in Valencia, Castellón and northern Alicante have closed parks and schools, while issuing safety warnings. The Ayuntamiento de València confirmed the measures in official updates.
AEMET issued a special warning for prolonged heavy rain beginning October 1. Dangerous weather is expected to persist at least until Monday, October 5, particularly across eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands.
Cataluña’s southern coast and pre-coastal Tarragona are also under orange alert. Up to 40 litres per square metre could fall in an hour, with 100 litres possible over twelve hours. Forecasters also expect large hail and strong winds. The central depression of Lleida and Tarragona faces similar threats, with 30 litres per hour possible. Barcelona and Girona are on yellow alert, with 20 litres per hour and strong storms expected. Infobae and La Vanguardia report that southern Tarragona and inland areas face the greatest risk. Authorities are also closely watching the rest of Catalonia for severe thunderstorms.
In Castilla-La Mancha, the Serranía de Cuenca is under orange alert for 30 litres per hour. Albacete and Guadalajara are on yellow alert for 20 litres per hour. Aragón’s Albarracín and Jiloca regions in Teruel could see similar rainfall. The rest of Aragón is on yellow alert, with storms bringing hail and fierce winds. The alerts draw on the latest meteorological data. AccuWeather’s independent forecasts also point to a high risk along Valencia’s northern coast.
On the Balearic Islands, southern Mallorca is under orange alert for up to 30 litres per hour. The Sierra de Tramontana, northern and northeastern Mallorca, and Menorca are on yellow alert for rain and storms. The orange alert in the Balearics ends at 21:00 local time. Warnings in other regions will last until midnight.
Other regions are affected too. Andalucía is on yellow alert for up to 15 litres per hour in the Almanzora and Los Vélez valleys in Almería, Guadix and Baza in Granada, and Cazorla and Segura in Jaén. Murcia’s Altiplano, northwest and Vega del Segura are also under yellow alert for similar rainfall.
An orange alert from AEMET signals real danger to people and property, especially in exposed areas. The agency urges people to stay alert and take precautions as storms approach. La Vanguardia reports that sudden flooding and overflowing riverbeds pose a serious threat in the hardest-hit provinces.
Storms like these can disrupt daily routines, with travel and local business also at risk. Flash floods could damage property and throw transport into chaos. The rapid rise in alerts shows how unpredictable Spain’s weather can be at this time of year.
Eastern Spain now faces a test of its emergency plans. The scale of the alerts points to the need for strong infrastructure and clear communication. Severe storms are forecast across the region.
