Spain’s recent heatwave is giving way to storms and heavy rainfall as temperatures drop with a cold front moving across the country. The first signs of the change appeared in the northwest on Thursday, as unstable Atlantic air pushed across the peninsula. Orange weather alerts have been issued for parts of the north and east, where rainfall could reach 40 litres per square metre in an hour, equivalent to 40 millimetres, and hail is expected.
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, issues adverse-weather warnings through Meteoalerta. The system provides forecasts for up to 72 hours and continues to update information as hazardous conditions develop. Its warnings are organised by affected area and forecast period, providing the official structure for tracking risks from heavy rain and hail, as well as storms or dangerous coastal conditions.
Information from ElTiempo.es, the unsettled weather is linked to a trough and a cold low-pressure system moving from the northwest towards the Mediterranean. The most severe storms are forecast for Thursday, especially in northern and eastern regions, but the risk will persist in some areas through the weekend. By Friday, the threat of intense storms should be less widespread, although localised heavy showers may still affect the Catalan coast and the Balearic Islands, with rain also possible along parts of the eastern Cantabrian coast.
Saturday is expected to bring isolated thunderstorms to the northeastern coast, while scattered showers are possible in Aragón and Catalonia. Some inland areas in the north may also see brief rainfall. On Sunday, attention shifts to Galicia, where a compact cold low is expected to increase cloud cover and bring rain and wind. Rough seas are also forecast along the western coast. AEMET’s station network records hourly observations and daily extremes, while also tracking accumulated precipitation, enabling conditions such as rainfall and temperature changes to be tracked by location. Meanwhile, the Canary Islands will remain under the influence of steady trade winds, with persistent cloud cover in the north of the higher islands.
The arrival of colder air has already caused a impressive temperature drop, particularly in eastern Spain, where highs had recently exceeded 40°C. On Thursday, temperatures fell sharply in most regions, except the Balearic Islands and the Canaries, where slight increases were still recorded. The cooling trend is expected to continue on Friday in the northeast and the Balearic Islands, driven by colder air and increased cloudiness. Saturday may bring a slight recovery in maximum temperatures in the northwest, but further drops are possible in the Mediterranean interior. Little change is expected on Sunday, although some southern and eastern areas could see a minor rebound in daytime highs.
Nighttime temperatures are also becoming more comfortable, with fewer tropical nights, when the minimum temperature stays at or above 20°C, except along the Mediterranean coast, where warm sea temperatures continue to moderate overnight cooling. Regional differences reflect the varied influence of Atlantic and Mediterranean conditions, along with the islands: a broader cooling trend does not mean every part of Spain will experience the same temperatures or rainfall. Unstable Atlantic systems now dominate the weather, marking a clear break from the intense heat of previous days. Such abrupt changes are not unprecedented in August. A comparable episode of sudden cooling and heavy rain was reported in August 2024, when Spain saw temperatures plunge and widespread storms disrupt summer routines.
Late August in Spain often brings rapid weather transitions, as Atlantic troughs can provide relief from prolonged heat. These episodes can cause localised flooding and travel disruptions, while also affecting agriculture, especially when intense rainfall falls on parched ground. Residents in affected regions are advised to monitor local forecasts and follow official warnings as unsettled weather continues through the weekend.
