Spain faces a sharp weather divide this Sunday as a high-altitude cold air mass sweeps into the north, bringing severe storms to Navarra and northern Aragón. AEMET’s forecast warns of hail and powerful wind gusts after a calm start across much of the country. The change follows several days of increasing cloud and moisture in Navarra. Forecasts for Friday and Saturday pointed to morning mist and fog in the north, with weak rain and isolated showers in the northwest and Pyrenees on Saturday. Snow was possible above about 1,900 metres.
While the north braces for turbulent conditions, the south and east remain in the grip of intense heat. Andalucía, the Balearic Islands, the southern plateau and the eastern half of the peninsula are set to record notably high temperatures, with some areas likely to exceed 38°C. In Palma, temperatures could reach 38°C, while in the valleys of the Guadalquivir and Ebro they may approach 40°C. Highs above 38 to 39°C are forecast for Córdoba and Toledo, as well as Ciudad Real and Zaragoza.
The day will start quietly for most, with clear or lightly clouded skies. Overcast conditions will persist in Galicia and along the Cantabrian coast, while low clouds are expected along the Alborán coast. As the morning progresses, the cold air mass will lead storm clouds to develop rapidly in the north and east. Storms could be locally very strong, especially in Navarra and northern Aragón, with hail and damaging winds possible. There is also a lower chance of storms spreading to nearby areas and parts of the southeastern interior.
The inland storm threat follows unsettled weather along Spain’s northern coast. On 23 October, Atlantic storm Austen brought strong winds and hazardous sea conditions to Galicia and the northern coastal regions of Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. EFE reported waves of up to 8 metres in parts of the coast, with winds exceeding 100 km/h in exposed areas. AEMET issued orange warnings for coastal risk. Its broader forecast described high pressure maintaining generally stable conditions across much of the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, while Atlantic influence remained concentrated in the north.
The Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands are expected to avoid the instability, with stable weather and mostly clear skies. Some low clouds may linger in northern areas of the Canaries. Coastal fog and mist may form along the Alborán, Galicia and Asturias coasts, potentially reaching inland at the start and end of the day. A light haze is also forecast for the Canary Islands and the southern and western parts of the Peninsula.
Temperature trends will vary: highs will drop in the Cantabrian region, the western third of the Peninsula and the Canary Islands, but rise in the Balearics and the northeast. Little change is expected elsewhere. Nighttime lows will fall in the west and the Canary Islands but remain steady in other regions. Tropical nights, when temperatures do not fall below 25°C, will persist across much of the southeastern Peninsula and both archipelagos, especially along the Mediterranean coast.
Winds will also shape conditions. The Canary Islands will experience strong trade winds, with possible very strong gusts. The Gulf of Cádiz will see moderate northwesterly winds, while the Ampurdán will have moderate southerlies and the Balearics easterlies. Across the rest of Spain, winds will generally be light but are expected to strengthen in the afternoon. Westerly winds will predominate, except in the eastern and northeastern regions, where southerly and easterly winds will take over.
In the Canary Islands, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will see temperatures between 23°C and 27°C, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife between 24°C and 31°C. The contrast between the stormy north and the sweltering south will define Spain’s weather this Sunday. These sharp regional contrasts echo the challenges emergency services have faced during recent extreme weather events, including persistent wildfires near Huelva, where shifting winds and dry air complicated firefighting efforts. Read the detailed account of how changing weather conditions have impacted emergency responses in Spain.
AEMET’s Meteoalerta system provides continuously updated information on adverse weather hazards for a forecast horizon of up to 72 hours. Its warnings are the official channel for tracking risks such as severe thunderstorms, hail and damaging winds in Navarra and Aragón. Residents in affected areas should monitor AEMET updates and take precautions against both heat and sudden storms.
