Heavy rain has put emergency crews across Spain on alert again as storms threaten inland towns and the coast. In Catalonia, rainfall totals have reached 248 l/m² in Granollers, and Es-Alert messages have gone out to residents in five comarcas.
Yesterday, Granollers, in Vallès Oriental, recorded 107 l/m², bringing the weekend total close to 350 l/m², an unusual amount for early summer. Barcelona’s Vallcarca neighborhood saw 106 l/m², while Badalona and the Fabra Observatory each recorded more than 75 l/m². Streets flooded and river levels rose; homes and businesses were damaged. With the ground saturated, each new downpour brings greater risk. AEMET and Meteocat data show that rainfall has broken seasonal records in some places. Emergency services have confirmed at least two deaths and one missing person in Catalonia so of the extreme weather.
In Vilassar de Mar, rainfall reached 288 l/m² by 10:00, making it one of the hardest-hit coastal towns during the episode.
Today, storms are expected to hit the Ebro and Ponent regions first, then move east toward the Mediterranean coast. Meteocat warns of a volatile afternoon, with rainfall potentially exceeding 40 l/m² in just thirty minutes. The Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees are at risk, as are southern areas and coastal zones; downpours may continue into the night. Granollers recorded 248 l/m², including 68 l/m² in just half an hour, more than double earlier reports. Meteocat says the storms are intensifying.
The Mediterranean is warmer than usual, fuelling unstable weather and storms that can appear almost tropical. Heat and humidity are driving mesoscale convective systems, clusters of intense storms that can form suddenly and dump large amounts of rain. On Monday, forecast models missed a major coastal event. A new system nevertheless formed, though it was less severe than the weekend’s deluge. Catalonia’s Civil Protection Service reported that Es-Alert messages were sent to residents in five comarcas, advising them to stay home if possible. Barcelona and its metropolitan area received special warnings to avoid travel because of the flash-flood risk.
More showers and storms are forecast for Wednesday, especially in the north. On Thursday, the northeast will be in focus. The Valencian Community also faces a risk of heavy, irregular rain, particularly inland, as do the Balearic Islands. Temperatures will remain between 21°C and 26°C. The northeast may be slightly warmer, but the most intense heat is not expected for now.
Official Catalan Hydrological Reports recorded a flow rate of 936 m³/s in the Besòs River near Santa Coloma de Gramenet, well above the 500 m³/s recorded during Storm Gloria. Authorities warned of possible overflows in both the Besòs and Ter rivers. The Tenes tributary’s flow rose from 1 to 128 m³/s in just one hour, sharply increasing flood risks in the lower basin.
Forecasting remains difficult as conditions change quickly and updates continue. Cooler, calmer weather may arrive at the end of the week, but until then, emergency crews and residents must remain alert. The ground is saturated, and storms remain unpredictable. Local responses need to adapt as climate extremes become more common. AEMET says rainfall has been both intense and long-lasting. Some places recorded more than 40 l/m² in 30 minutes; totals reached 90 l/m² in three hours and topped 200 l/m² in 24 hours.
