Spain is preparing for a significant change in the weather in the coming days. An Atlantic frontal system will reach the Iberian Peninsula on Thursday, bringing extensive cloud cover, fog and the first outbreaks of rain in the northwest. As the weekend approaches, a DANA (cut-off low) is expected to develop over the Gulf of Cádiz, unleashing heavy rainfall across southern regions and the western Mediterranean. Temperatures will drop noticeably, with fresh snowfall likely in the mountains.
Spa.in Press
Thursday: dense fog across the interior, first rain in Galicia
From the early hours, persistent fog will spread across much of Spain’s inland areas. The greatest impact is expected in both Mesetas, the Ebro Basin and inland Catalonia. Due to poor visibility, yellow weather warnings are in place for Huesca, Zaragoza, Lleida, Tarragona, Navarra and La Rioja.
Along the Galician Atlantic coast – especially in A Coruña – the weather service has also issued warnings for rough seas.
As the front approaches, cloud cover will continue to thicken. By the evening, heavy and persistent rain will set in across western Galicia, while scattered showers remain possible elsewhere in the northwest. Temperatures will fall slightly along the Mediterranean coastline but will hold steady in most other regions.
Friday: widespread rainfall and snow in the mountains
On Friday the core of the front will cross the peninsula, bringing prolonged rain to the western half of the country. In the Montes de Toledo and the Sistema Central, precipitation will increasingly turn to snow. Snow levels are expected to range between:1,200–1,400 metres in the northwest
1,500–1,800 metres in central Spain
At the same time, a DANA will begin to form over the Gulf of Cádiz, becoming the dominant feature of the weather over the weekend.
The province of Huelva remains under a yellow warning for intense rainfall, with up to 15 litres per square metrepossible within an hour. Along the northern coastline – from Galicia to the Basque Country – warnings for heavy surf remain in effect; A Coruña is the only province upgraded to orange level.
Weekend: DANA brings heavy rainfall to the south and the Mediterranean
Once fully developed, the DANA will lead to increasingly unstable and much wetter conditions throughout the weekend. The most affected areas will be:
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the Alborán region,
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the Andalusian Mediterranean coast,
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the Region of Murcia
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Ceuta and Melilla.
These regions may see intense downpours and thunderstorms. Temperatures will drop further across most of the country, with only the northwest experiencing a slight rise.
Outlook: DANA shifts towards North Africa and the Balearic Islands
At the start of next week, the DANA is forecast to move eastwards across Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. On its track it will also influence the Balearic Islands, where further rainfall, brisk winds and cooler conditions are expected.
