Valencia and Castellón face a sharp change in weather this afternoon as the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) has activated orange alerts for severe storms and hail. The warning covers the interior and southern coastal areas of Valencia and Castellón, where rainfall could reach 40 litres per square metre in just one hour. The alert runs from 14:00 to 22:00, with locally torrential downpours and large hail possible, along with very strong wind gusts.
The alerts form part of Meteoalerta, Spain’s national system for forecasting and monitoring dangerous weather. Aemet organizes warnings by autonomous community and province, providing detailed information for up to 72 hours and updating it as hazardous conditions develop. Its warnings cover hazards such as intense rainfall and thunderstorms, as well as hail and strong winds.
Elsewhere in the Comunitat Valenciana, a yellow alert signals a lower but still impressive risk of heavy showers, with up to 20 litres per square metre possible in an hour. But, current meteorological models do not expect impressive rainfall in Valencia city or along the northern coast.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid ravines and dry riverbeds, where flooding can pose a risk during the alert. The Generalitat Valenciana's emergency services have also advised organisers of public events to take extra precautions. With strong winds forecast, they recommend securing objects or installations that could be affected by gusts, which may exceed 80 km/h in some coastal areas.
Alongside the storm risk, Aemet has issued coastal warnings because westerly winds could reach 40 to 50 km/h, with occasional peaks above 80 km/h. These conditions could complicate the situation in areas already affected by wildfires. In Tírig, where a major forest fire has burned over 500 hectares, the combination of wind and possible dry storms raises concerns about new fire outbreaks or flare-ups. This echoes recent challenges for emergency services in the region, including mass evacuations in Catí and other towns during previous wildfire emergencies, detailed in reports such as the recent coverage of evacuations in Segovia and Castellón.
Forecast models suggest the heaviest rainfall will begin after 14:00. Some municipalities near the Castellón-Teruel border could see up to 80 litres per square metre by evening. The southern coast and pre-coastal areas of Valencia could accumulate 60 litres, with most of that rain potentially falling in a short period. Later tonight, the storm front is expected to move north, bringing up to 60 litres per square metre to northern Castellón and possibly 120 litres over 12 hours if predictions hold.
Not all models agree. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (CEPPM) projects much lower rainfall totals, with some areas possibly receiving less than two litres per square metre during the critical hours. Residents should stay alert to changing conditions. Aemet’s observation service publishes hourly readings and daily rainfall accumulations, along with recorded extremes, so forecasts can be compared with conditions observed in Valencia after the storms.
Spain's Mediterranean regions are particularly vulnerable to sudden, intense storms, especially after prolonged dry spells. Flash flooding and wind damage can disrupt transport and damage property, while hail can also complicate firefighting efforts. Local authorities regularly update protocols and invest in early warning systems to mitigate these risks.
