After the intense summer heat, Spain is suddenly showing a very different side as August draws to a close. Several Atlantic fronts are bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong gusts of wind. In some regions, there is a risk of large hail, while Menorca has even been issued a warning for so-called “rissagas”. At the same time, temperatures are set to fall significantly. However, the brief improvement in the weather on Tuesday is expected to be short-lived.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Summer is making one final push in Spain – but this time, not with bright sunshine and temperatures well above 35°C. Instead, a marked change in the weather at the start of the final week of August is causing concern. After several hot days, Atlantic fronts are now reaching the Iberian Peninsula, bringing much more unsettled weather with them.
The north and north-east of the country are particularly affected. Heavy showers and thunderstorms may occur in these areas, accompanied by strong gusts of wind and, in some cases, large hail. According to Spain’s national weather service, AEMET, weather warnings are currently in place across several autonomous communities.
Eight regions under weather warnings
The current weather situation is affecting large parts of Spain. AEMET has issued warnings for rain and thunderstorms in Aragón, Cantabria, Castile and León, Castile-La Mancha, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia and Navarre.
Particular caution is advised in Aragón and Catalonia at present, where the higher orange warning level is in place. The remaining regions mentioned are under yellow weather warnings.
While the weather situation is not exceptional across the whole country, it could have significant impacts in some areas. Conditions can change rapidly, particularly during thunderstorms.
Particularly dangerous: Large hail and severe thunderstorms
Several provinces are facing an increased risk of severe thunderstorms. These include Tarragona, Girona, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Teruel, Ourense, Lleida and Huesca.
The thunderstorms in these areas could bring not only heavy rainfall, but also very large hailstones. According to current forecasts, hailstones could locally exceed five centimetres in diameter. Some areas may also experience very strong gusts of wind.
For motorists, this poses an additional risk: severe hail can damage vehicles, while strong gusts may blow branches, debris and other loose objects onto roads and pavements.
AEMET has also issued thunderstorm and rainfall warnings for various areas. The exact level of risk varies depending on the province and the time period concerned.
Temperatures are falling – but not everywhere
The change in weather is also being reflected in temperatures. Highs are set to fall across large parts of Spain, with the drop being particularly noticeable in the north, inland areas and parts of the south-east.
However, there is no sign that summer is coming to an end just yet. Temperatures will remain high in many areas along the Mediterranean coast and across the Balearic Islands. In regions such as Murcia, Granada and Alicante, temperatures could still exceed 33°C.
In central parts of the Iberian Peninsula, however, maximum temperatures will in some areas hover around the 30°C mark. The contrast is typical of Spain: while severe thunderstorms may be sweeping through one region, just a few hundred kilometres away it can still feel like the height of summer.
An unusual phenomenon raises concerns on Menorca
A particularly unusual situation is unfolding on Menorca, where an orange warning has been issued for so-called “rissagas”. These are exceptionally strong and rapid fluctuations in sea levels, particularly in coastal areas and harbours. A sea-level fluctuation of around 1.2 metres is expected on Menorca.
The phenomenon is not comparable to normal tidal movements. Sea levels can change significantly within a relatively short period of time. This can be particularly problematic in harbours, bays and areas immediately along the coast.
For holidaymakers, this means that when a warning is in place, they should stay away from harbour areas and particularly low-lying coastal areas, and follow local safety advice.
Tuesday brings a brief improvement in the weather
Anyone expecting Spain to be hit by severe weather for several days in a row can breathe a sigh of relief for now. On Tuesday, the overall instability is expected to ease temporarily, with rainfall becoming lighter and less widespread.
Galicia is an exception. Showers and thunderstorms will remain possible there, some of them potentially heavy. Cloudy conditions, showers and localised fog may also persist in the north-west, along the Cantabrian coast and west of the Sistema Central.
The weather situation is therefore set to calm down – but only temporarily.
The next front arrives on Wednesday
Another change in the weather is already expected on Wednesday. A new Atlantic front will approach from the west, once again bringing wetter and more unsettled air to Spain. Galicia and other areas in the north-west are likely to be particularly affected.
By contrast, the weather situation in the Mediterranean region is expected to remain relatively stable for the time being. Higher air pressure will bring predominantly calmer conditions, although isolated light showers along the Mediterranean coast cannot be ruled out.
Thursday and Friday: Rain spreads across Spain again
Towards the end of the week, the weather situation could become significantly more unsettled again. Further rainfall is expected in northern Spain on Thursday and Friday. The unsettled conditions could then spread to the south-west, parts of the north-eastern coast and the Balearic Islands.
The key issue is not necessarily a single spell of heavy rain, but rather how long the unsettled weather could persist. If rain continues to fall intermittently over several days, the total rainfall amounts can quickly add up.
More than 100 litres of rain could fall in Galicia
Galicia is therefore becoming a particular focus of the weather forecasts. According to current forecasts, some areas could receive more than 100 litres of rain per square metre by the end of the week. In parts of the western provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra, forecasts have even indicated totals of around or above 150 litres per square metre.
These figures refer to accumulated rainfall totals over several days, rather than this amount falling within just a few hours. Nevertheless, such significant amounts of rain – particularly when accompanied by severe thunderstorms – could cause considerable localised problems.
What is behind the change in weather?
The main reason behind the change in weather is the shift in the wider atmospheric pattern. Several Atlantic fronts are reaching the Iberian Peninsula, while a low-pressure system to the west of Portugal is moving towards the peninsula. Added to this is a so-called upper-level trough, an area of colder, more unstable air in the higher levels of the atmosphere. Recent forecasts also point to Atlantic low-pressure systems bringing wetter and windier conditions to the Iberian Peninsula.
When these conditions combine with moist air, the atmosphere can become significantly more unstable. The result is showers and thunderstorms that can become very intense in some areas. This combination is currently causing Spain to shift from classic midsummer conditions to a much more unsettled spell of weather within just a few days.
For holidaymakers, it is important to keep a closer eye on the weather forecast
For millions of people still travelling around Spain at the end of August, the change in weather comes as a surprise. Those holidaying along the Mediterranean coast should not necessarily expect days of rain, as the current weather situation varies considerably from region to region. However, holidaymakers should be particularly cautious if they are staying in areas under a thunderstorm warning.
During severe thunderstorms, hikes through gorges, barrancos or dry riverbeds should be avoided. Drivers should never attempt to drive through flooded roads. If large hail is forecast, it is also advisable to park vehicles in a sheltered location whenever possible. Along the coast, and particularly on Menorca, additional precautions should be taken when relevant warnings are in place.
Summer is not over yet
Despite the marked change in weather, it would be wrong to speak of the end of summer in Spain just yet. Meteorologically, the country remains divided. While Atlantic fronts bring rain and thunderstorms to the north and west, parts of the Mediterranean region remain warm and relatively stable. It is precisely these contrasts that will shape the weather situation over the coming days.
One thing is clear, however: the final week of August is getting off to a far more unsettled start in Spain than might have been expected after the recent hot spell. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, large hail and strong winds are prompting heightened attention in some areas. And according to the latest forecast, the brief improvement in the weather on Tuesday is unlikely to last long.
Spain’s national weather service, AEMET, updates its warnings regularly. Anyone travelling in Spain over the coming days should therefore not only check the general forecast for the country, but also consult the weather warnings for their specific province or municipality.
