Spain is bracing for another spell of severe weather. After the passage of Storm Ingrid, a new high-impact weather system, named Joseph, is moving in and is expected to bring widespread heavy rainfall, snowfall in mountainous areas, strong winds and renewed coastal disruption across much of the country.
The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) has issued multiple weather warnings and is urging caution, particularly in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula.
Galicia at the heart of the new storm
The most critical situation is forecast in Galicia, especially in the province of Pontevedra, where Aemet has activated a red alert, its highest warning level.
Rainfall totals of more than 120 litres per square metre in just 12 hours are possible in some areas, significantly increasing the risk of flooding, river overflows and rapid water rises.
Storm Joseph was named by the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) and is expected to affect large parts of Spain over the coming days.
Prolonged and widespread rainfall
According to forecasts from Meteored, rainfall will be both intense and persistent throughout the week:
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More than 50 l/m² within 24 hours in western and southern Galicia, the Sierra de Gredos, Grazalema and parts of south-eastern Spain.
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Between 10 and 25 l/m² across the Cantabrian coast, both Castiles, the Pyrenees and central Andalusia.
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Between Tuesday and Wednesday, local totals exceeding 100 l/m² are possible in parts of Galicia, Extremadura, western Castile and León and several Andalusian mountain ranges, including Sierra Nevada and the Sierras of Cazorla and Segura.
Further active fronts are expected on Thursday and Friday, again mainly affecting the western half of the country.
Snowfall expected across mountain ranges
From Tuesday night onwards, a marked drop in the snow line is forecast. Snow is expected across most of Spain’s major mountain systems, with the heaviest falls likely in the Cantabrian Mountains, the Pyrenees, the Central System, Sierra Nevada and the mountain ranges of the south-east.
Snowfall cannot be ruled out in northern provincial capitals, including Ávila, Segovia, Burgos, Soria, León and Palencia.
Temperatures: mild start, colder midweek
Temperatures will remain relatively mild at the beginning of the week. However, an incursion of polar air on Wednesday is set to bring a sharp change:
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Minimum temperatures of 1 to 4°C across much of inland Spain
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Minimum temperatures of 1 to 4°C across much of inland Spain
Localised frost in the northern plateau and mountainous areas
From Thursday onwards, temperatures are expected to recover, with highs potentially exceeding 20°C along the Mediterranean coast, driven by westerly winds.
Authorities urge caution
Aemet and Civil Protection services are advising residents to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel in areas under active warnings, refrain from crossing flooded zones and stay informed through official channels.
A new storm system is approaching, reinforcing the sense that winter continues to grip large parts of Spain with a succession of increasingly severe weather events.
