An atypical Atlantic low-pressure system is approaching the peninsula, bringing heavy rain and storms to northern and eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands. The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued several alerts: Catalonia is under an orange warning for intense rain and a yellow warning for storms, while the Balearic Islands, Cantabria and the Basque Country are under yellow rainfall alerts. The US National Hurricane Center is monitoring the storm because of its unusual characteristics for August. It is expected to affect large areas over the coming days.
The system’s effects were already visible early Friday, 21 August. After severe storms battered the Valencian Community and southeast Spain on Thursday, attention shifted overnight to the Balearic Islands. Menorca recorded wind gusts of up to 121 km/h, rainfall of seven liters per square meter in just ten minutes, and a rapid temperature drop of nearly 10°C. A report published that day by La Opinión de Zamora also described a storm train in Valencia, with gusts reaching 150 km/h. By afternoon, Tarragona was bracing for up to 100 liters per square meter of accumulated rainfall. The storm’s path suggests activity will increase in northern Spain’s interior by Saturday. Galicia is expected to see the system’s first rains by Sunday evening.
Aemet spokesperson José Luis Camacho said Friday would bring further showers and storms to the Mediterranean and nearby regions, driven by wind patterns. Aemet is Spain’s national meteorological service and issues weather warnings for hazards such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, wind and coastal conditions. These meteorological warnings are separate from civil-protection emergency alerts, which relevant authorities issue under different procedures. The Cantabrian coast, especially its eastern areas, will see persistent cloud cover and locally heavy showers, with up to 15 liters per square meter possible in coastal Cantabria and the Basque Country. Storm clouds are likely to develop over northern inland areas and the Balearic Islands in the afternoon, potentially bringing thunderstorms to the Aragonese Iberian System, the Balearics, Barcelona and Girona.
Friday afternoon’s forecast calls for showers along the Catalan coast and the Balearic Islands, some accompanied by strong thunderstorms. Persistent rain is expected on the Cantabrian and Basque coasts. By late evening, heavy, persistent precipitation is forecast for southern Catalonia. It could continue into Saturday morning and affect the coasts of Castellón and Barcelona. Catalonia’s orange alert covers the northern and southern Tarragona coast, where successive downpours could bring up to 100 liters per square meter.
Elsewhere in Spain, skies will remain mostly clear. The exception is the Canary Islands, where the north may see clouds and light rain. Maximum temperatures will drop notably in the northern plateau, northeast and Mediterranean, especially in the Iberian System, Castellón and the Balearic Islands, while rising in the southwest. Minimum temperatures will generally fall, with little change in the Canary Islands. Wildfire risk has fallen to low or moderate in most regions but remains high in Galicia, the northeast and southern Mallorca.
Saturday could bring further complications as the rare Atlantic low, possibly with subtropical features, moves closer to Portugal and northwest Spain. It is not classified as a hurricane, but its structure has drawn attention from international meteorological agencies. Portugal may name it Vitor if it intensifies further. The upper-level trough, a mass of colder air at higher altitudes, will reinforce instability as it shifts toward the peninsula and pushes storms into the northern interior. Friday’s conditions are expected to continue, with strong, persistent showers along the Tarragona, Barcelona and Castellón coasts lasting into the afternoon. The eastern third of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands will remain cloudy, while daytime cloud development is expected in the Cantabrian region, Galicia and the northern plateau. Strong storms are forecast for the Ebro Valley and the Iberian System, with up to 20 liters per square meter, possible hail and strong winds. The Canary Islands will see cloudy skies in the north and clearer conditions in the south.
Saturday’s weather alerts keep Catalonia under an orange rain warning and a yellow storm warning. Aragón and the Valencian Community have yellow warnings for both rain and storms. Maximum temperatures will rise in most areas but fall in the Levante, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia and the Canary Islands. Minimum temperatures will rise slightly in central Spain and decrease elsewhere, including the islands. Wildfire risk will increase again, reaching moderate to high in many regions and very high in Galicia and the interior, especially the two plateaus and Aragón.
By Sunday, the storm system will approach the Atlantic coast, directly affecting Galicia and the southwest by evening, with rain in the Rías Baixas. The upper-level trough will cross the peninsula, bringing southerly winds and greater instability. Western Spain will see cloudier skies, while southerly winds will raise temperatures in the Basque Country. Humidity-driven storms will continue around the Mediterranean, particularly in the Ebro Valley and inland Valencia. Temperatures are expected to rise in many areas, especially in the north. No weather alerts are currently in place for Sunday.
Forecasts suggest Monday could bring widespread rain to the northwest, including Galicia, Asturias, Castilla y León and Extremadura, with isolated showers in western Andalusia and central regions. Strong storms are also possible in La Rioja, Navarra, Aragón, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Murcia, eastern Castilla-La Mancha and the Balearic Islands. Rainfall could be particularly intense in Galicia, Cáceres, Aragón and Catalonia. Aemet’s weekly outlook indicates that the final week of August is likely to be cooler and wetter than usual in western Spain.
Recent weeks have brought several unusual weather events across Spain, including sharp temperature drops and heavy rainfall. For example, a previous episode brought autumn-like conditions to many regions, showing how volatile this summer’s weather has been. These shifts make it impressive to follow official forecasts and regional alerts as the Atlantic system continues to evolve.
