Spain faces a turbulent end to August as a new storm system moves in, bringing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, with hail and strong winds expected across much of the country. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warns that the northwest and northern regions will be hardest hit, while the Mediterranean coast and Balearic Islands face unusually high temperatures.
On Tuesday, the storm that crossed from Galicia to the Bay of Biscay will deepen, spreading instability into the northern plateau. Cloudy skies and moderate to heavy rainfall are forecast for the northwest, Cantabrian coast and western Central System. In Asturias and northeast Galicia, yellow-level storm alerts have been issued over the risk of intense downpours and hail. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean coast, including the Balearic Islands and Valencia, will see little cloud cover and temperatures well above seasonal averages. The rest of the country is expected to remain stable. The Canary Islands will have mostly clear skies and moderate winds, with temperatures holding steady.
By Wednesday, the situation will intensify as a cold front sweeps across the peninsula. Western Galicia, the Cantabrian coast, the northern plateau, Sierra de Gredos, Extremadura and northern Huelva are expected to see impressive rainfall, with accumulations reaching 15 mm in just one hour in some areas. Thunderstorms with hail and strong wind gusts are likely, especially in the north and northwest. By contrast, the Ebro valley, eastern Cantabrian coast and Balearic Islands will continue to experience high temperatures, with maximums reaching up to 35°C. Winds will be moderate to strong across much of the peninsula, and very strong gusts are possible in the north and mountainous areas. The Mediterranean and Balearic regions will see lighter winds, though strong intervals are possible in the Alboran Sea. In the Canary Islands, cloud cover will increase in the north, while the south stays clear and moderate trade winds persist.
On Thursday, maximum temperatures will drop sharply, especially inland, where some areas could see a decrease of at least 6°C. The fronts associated with the storm will move across the northwest, bringing very cloudy skies and locally heavy rainfall to southwest Galicia. Rain may extend to the southwest peninsula and northeast coasts, including the Balearic Islands. The Mediterranean coast will remain hot, with temperatures again exceeding 35°C in some locations. Winds will stay moderate to strong across the peninsula, with the strongest gusts expected in northern mountain regions. In the Canary Islands, the front’s tail end will bring moderate rain to the mountainous islands, while temperatures remain stable and winds moderate.
These rapid weather changes follow a summer of alternating heatwaves and storms. Recent reports of rare August storms say such patterns are becoming more frequent, especially in the northwest. The forecast calls on residents in affected areas to stay alert to sudden weather changes, particularly where strong winds and hail are expected. The contrast between the cool, stormy west and hot, stable east is likely to stand out in the coming days. Travelers and residents are advised to follow official updates from Aemet as conditions may change rapidly.
Spain's varied geography often brings sharp weather contrasts: Atlantic fronts carry rain and cooler air to the north and west, while the Mediterranean basin stays hot and dry. The late-August storm shows why regional forecasts and preparedness matter, especially as climate variability makes extreme weather less predictable. Authorities are monitoring the situation and will update warnings as necessary.
