A sharp temperature drop is expected across northern and central Spain, with the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) warning that a sudden cool-down will begin Wednesday. Cities such as Vitoria, Lugo, and Soria are expected to struggle to reach 20 or 21 degrees, a sharp contrast with the summer heat that has lingered through September. AEMET has issued orange weather alerts for Catalonia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community, along with yellow alerts for Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Murcia.
As the north prepares for colder days, the east and the Balearic Islands face heavy rain and storms. Girona is under an orange alert, with up to 100 liters of rain per square meter possible in just 12 hours. Ibiza, Formentera, and Mallorca are also expected to see severe storms, hail, and strong winds. The Cantabrian coast and the Pyrenees will get steady rain and fog, while clouds spread across the eastern mountains. RTVE and other Spanish news outlets report that thunderstorms are likely in at least seven autonomous communities, reflecting the extent of the current instability.
Local weather agencies report that rainfall in Girona and Barcelona could exceed 40 liters per square meter in just 30 minutes, with localized peaks of 60 to 90 liters in three hours.
Wednesday marks the shift. A high-altitude cold-air trough, or "vaguada," will move across the peninsula, bringing widespread rain and a sharp drop in temperatures. In the north and interior, cities such as Ávila, León, Logroño, Palencia, Pamplona, Bilbao, Burgos, San Sebastián, Lugo, Oviedo, Soria, and Santander will see highs between 20 and 24 degrees. Vitoria is expected to be the coolest provincial capital, with a maximum of just 20 degrees. Meteorologists attribute the sudden change to an Atlantic trough bringing cooler, unstable weather to much of Spain.
The south and southeast will hold onto summer a little longer. Cáceres, Cuenca, and Toledo are forecast to reach 33 degrees, with Huelva and Lleida close behind at 32. Alicante, Girona, and Melilla will be around 31, while Málaga, Palma, Tarragona, and Castellón de la Plana will see highs near 30 degrees. Autumn is arriving unevenly across the country. AEMET notes the contrast: the north and interior are already feeling autumnal, while the south and southeast still face summer-like highs of 30 to 33°C.
By Thursday, the cold-air trough will have passed, leaving cooler, more autumn-like weather. Rain is still likely in the east and Mediterranean, with showers and cloud cover continuing. Central Spain will have high clouds, while the east could see more storms and local downpours. Maximum temperatures will level off but remain lower: Badajoz, Córdoba, and Sevilla will reach 32 degrees, while Granada, Jaén, Almería, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife will be at 29. Many other cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Ceuta, Cuenca, Girona, Guadalajara, Huesca, and Tarragona, will see highs between 26 and 28 degrees. The coolest weather will remain in the north and interior, with Ávila, Bilbao, Lugo, Palencia, and Soria not expected to exceed 22 degrees.
Regional authorities in Catalonia have activated the Inuncat flood response plan because of the threat of intense rainfall, especially around Barcelona and Girona. The measure follows official warnings of possible hail and very strong wind gusts, as independent Spanish publications report, citing AEMET.
Residents and travelers should prepare for sudden storms and temperature swings, especially in areas under weather alerts. As unstable conditions spread across the peninsula, the coming days will put infrastructure and daily routines to the test.
