Severe weather continues to disrupt northern Spain, with Galicia bearing the brunt of heavy rainfall and storms this week. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) says a slow-moving front linked to a new Atlantic low-pressure system is bringing intense precipitation, particularly across the Rías Baixas and inland A Coruña and Pontevedra. The Miño valley is also seeing intense precipitation. Conditions are expected to remain unstable until Friday, when they should begin to stabilise.
Yellow weather alerts have been issued across much of Galicia, warning of hourly rainfall of up to 15 litres per square metre and accumulations reaching 40 litres in 12 hours. In western A Coruña, the alert level rises to orange, with forecasts of 30 litres per hour and impressive total accumulations. The downpours may bring thunderstorms, increasing the risk of localised flooding and disruption.
Elsewhere in the north, the Pyrenees in Navarra and Huesca are also on alert. Humid air entering through the Ebro valley is expected to trigger storms with hail and strong gusts of wind. In the Aran valley, wind speeds could reach 80 kilometres per hour. Meanwhile, the rest of the northern coast, including Asturias and the western part of Castilla y León, will continue to see temperatures well below seasonal averages, prolonging the unseasonably cool spell.
The Atlantic front will not reach the Mediterranean. Temperatures are forecast to rise in the Ebro valley and inland Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia. They are also expected to climb on the Cantabrian side of Navarra. The highest temperatures are expected in the central Ebro valley and parts of Granada and Almería, where values could approach 38°C. The west will remain mostly cloudy, with further showers and isolated storms. The south will see clearer skies. Brief, light showers and occasional strong winds may affect the east.
Other weather phenomena are also causing concern. Menorca is under a yellow alert for rissagas, sudden sea level changes caused by shifts in atmospheric pressure, while Saharan dust is forecast to reach the southeast and, more notably, the Balearic Islands. The risk of wildfires is rising sharply in central and eastern Spain due to high temperatures and strong winds, with authorities warning of very high or extreme danger in these areas.
Spain's varied climate often produces sharp contrasts between regions, especially during transitional seasons. Galicia, exposed to the Atlantic, is particularly vulnerable to intense rainfall and rapid weather changes. The current conditions highlight the importance of localised weather alerts and the need for residents to stay informed. As the country heads into summer, authorities continue to monitor conditions closely, balancing the risks of flooding in the north with wildfire threats in the drier central and eastern regions.
