Aemet has issued new warnings as Spain approaches the Pilar holiday, with storms and falling temperatures expected across the country. The southwest, Alborán, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands face some of the greatest risks, potentially disrupting travel and outdoor plans over the long weekend.
On Wednesday, a high-altitude depression, known as a DANA, kept the weather unstable. Some areas might get a break later in the day, but Aemet maintained yellow alerts for strong showers and storms in eastern Andalucía, Región de Murcia, Comunidad Valenciana, Baleares, Asturias, Cantabria, País Vasco, Aragón and Cataluña. The Barcelona coast and southern Girona face higher risks, with orange alerts warning of rainfall exceeding 40 liters per square meter in one hour. Qué! confirmed that Aemet's yellow warnings remained active in several regions. Heavy downpours and storms are likely before the Puente del Pilar. In the Cantabrian region, temperatures could fall to 8°C.
On October 5, Aemet extended yellow alerts to the entire interior of Valencia province, warning of wind gusts exceeding 70 km/h and hail larger than 1 cm, Levante-EMV reported.
Cold air is moving in, and the Cantabrian region is expected to feel it most. Asturias, Cantabria, País Vasco and northern Navarra could see temperatures drop by six to eight degrees. Locals used to mild autumns will face a sudden chill. La Razón reports that another DANA could arrive by the weekend, prolonging the bad weather after a short break. Some northern and mountain areas might receive up to 40 l/m² of rain in one hour.
The Pilar holiday and the Día de la Fiesta Nacional on October 12 are just ahead. Aemet says a new DANA will keep the weather unsettled, with the southwest likely to take the brunt. Several sources identify the south and southwest, the northeast, the Mediterranean coast, the Balearic Islands and the mountains of the Canary Islands as areas most at risk of holiday disruption. The forecast is still changing, and the path of the new DANA is not yet set.
On Thursday, a wet northern flow and colder air are expected to bring clouds and rain to the northern third of Spain and the Balearic Islands. Storms and hail are possible. A nearby trough could bring heavy showers and storms to the mountainous Canary Islands.
Meteorologist Mario Picazo has pointed to the likelihood of a new DANA forming by the end of the week and urged particular attention to the Mediterranean and Balearic Islands, where the risk of severe weather is higher, ABC reported.
Central Spain will struggle to reach 20ºC, while highs in the northwest may reach only 15ºC. The first snow of the season could dust the Pyrenees, bringing an early taste of winter to high-altitude towns.
Friday should bring calmer weather to the north, while rain lingers elsewhere. A trough could develop into a DANA between the southwest and the Canary Islands. If it does, the southern third of the peninsula and Alborán could see heavy rain over the weekend. The Balearic Islands might also get heavy showers before the holiday begins. Most other regions should have clearer skies and steadier weather.
Saturday's outlook keeps rain in the south, Alborán and the Canary Islands. The Cantabrian region may see only light, scattered drizzle. Forecasts for Sunday and Monday are still being updated as the situation changes.
Recent storms have already put parts of Spain on alert. In Granada, heavy rain and storms disrupted daily life for two days, as reported earlier. Now the warnings are back, and the next few days could bring worse weather to more regions.
Aemet advises holidaymakers and locals planning to travel or celebrate outdoors to prepare for sudden changes, especially in the southwest, Alborán, the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.
