Spain activates orange weather alerts in Aragón, Catalonia and Menorca. Heavy rain, hail and strong winds expected. Authorities warn of dangerous sea level changes in the Balearic Islands.
Spain enters the week with heightened weather alerts across ten regions, as severe storms and a rare rissaga event force authorities to raise the alarm in Aragón, Catalonia and Menorca. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued orange warnings for these areas, citing the risk of intense rainfall, large hail, and, in Menorca, significant sea level oscillations.
Menorca stands out with a coastal orange alert due to the threat of rissaga—a sudden and dangerous fluctuation in sea level—expected to reach up to 1.2 meters throughout the day. This phenomenon can disrupt port operations and pose risks to vessels and coastal infrastructure. Meanwhile, Catalonia faces its own orange alert from midday, with forecasts of up to 30 liters of rain per square meter in just one hour, particularly in the Valle de Arán, Lérida and Barcelona. The storms may bring hailstones exceeding 5 centimeters and very strong wind gusts, especially in Lérida.
Aragón is also under orange alert for similar reasons: heavy downpours, large hail, and powerful winds, with Huesca identified as a particularly vulnerable area. The warnings are set to remain in place throughout the day, as authorities monitor the evolving situation.
Seven other regions—Andalucía, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Galicia and Navarra—are on yellow alert for rain and storms. Andalucía’s warning is expected to end by 10 a.m., with Huelva and Sevilla likely to see up to 20 liters of rain per square meter per hour. Cantabria’s alert will last until late afternoon, with rainfall around 15 liters per hour. In Castilla y León, León, Palencia, Ávila and Salamanca are forecast to receive similar amounts, while wind gusts could reach 70 km/h in Zamora, Salamanca and Valladolid.
Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura will see yellow alerts until late afternoon, with Ciudad Real, mountain areas of Toledo, and the Tajo valley at risk of strong storms and hourly rainfall up to 15 liters per square meter. Extremadura’s storms may also bring strong winds. Galicia and Navarra, specifically Orense and the Navarrese Pyrenees, are under yellow alert for storms with hail and similar rainfall rates. In Galicia, the warning is expected to end by evening, while in Navarra it will persist until the end of the day.
These alerts follow a pattern of increasingly volatile weather in Spain’s summer months. As noted in recent coverage of unusual August storms, authorities have been forced to adapt quickly to sudden shifts in weather patterns, with the northeast and Balearic Islands frequently at the center of these events.
Rissaga events, while rare, are a known hazard in the Balearic Islands, particularly in Menorca’s ports. They can cause rapid flooding and damage to boats and infrastructure. Orange and yellow weather alerts in Spain are issued when meteorological conditions pose a significant risk to people, property, or activities. Residents and travelers in affected areas are advised to follow updates from Aemet and local authorities, as conditions can change rapidly. The current wave of alerts highlights the importance of preparedness and timely information during periods of severe weather.
