Storm Alice, the first major autumn DANA in Spain, will cause chaos

Spain is gearing up for its first major weather event of the autumn – and it already has a name.

The Spanish State Meteorological Agency has officially declared Storm Alice. This storm is expected to bring torrential rainfall, thunderstorms, and possibly flooding in large areas of Spain this week.

AEMET issues warnings when Storm Alice approaches

You can also find out more about the following: AEMET Alice, the first DANA of the season (Isolated Depression At High Levels), was confirmed by the Met Office on Tuesday October 7. This atmospheric phenomenon is known for its unpredictable nature and violent intensity. It will mostly affect the eastern parts of Spain and Balearic Islands.

Forecasts suggest that some areas, particularly around Valencia, Alicante, and Murcia, could experience up to 100 litres per square metre of rainfall in only four hours. Rainfall could reach 40 litres of rain per square metre on the north coast of Alicante and the south coast of Valencia. The islands of Ibiza, Formentera and Formentera may also experience this.

AEMET warns that Andalusia will be affected by heavy rains and thunderstorms in the east, as well as Castilla La Mancha, Catalonia, and Murcia. The agency warns residents to be prepared and to keep up with real-time alerts posted on AEMET’s website and mobile application.

AEMET released a press release urging people to exercise caution, and to check the official updates frequently. This DANA will bring heavy, persistent rain that could cause flooding.

Why AEMET names DANAs after Alice

This week’s announcement marks the first time a DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) in Spain has been given a name – part of a new initiative by AEMET to make communication clearer when severe weather events are expected.

Since years, the term DANA is a source of confusion for the public. Not all DANA systems lead to catastrophic weather. AEMET wants to help people understand that DANA systems can have a real impact by naming them only when they are likely to do so.

A DANA is an upper-atmospheric complex depression that is detached from the main flow. It can produce intense rain, thunderstorms, and even hail. These systems are notoriously hard to predict as their severity depends on local conditions like humidity, temperature, and sea currents.

While some DANAs pass unnoticed, others – like Alice – can lead to serious flooding, travel disruptions and property damage. To help media and the public better communicate weather risks, only DANAs with high impact will receive names.

Storm Alice named under European system

Alice is the very first DANA officially named by the Southwest European Storm Naming Group. This collaborative program involves Spain, Portugal France, Belgium Luxembourg and Andorra. The group has a list of pre-approved names that are to be given to major weather events in the region.

AEMET stated that naming systems such as this not only improve awareness but also make tracking the evolution of storms easier across borders.

Alice’s arrival marks the beginning of a stormy season that could be active in Spain. Autumn is a time when DANAs tend to be most common, because warmer Mediterranean air collides with cooler air masses from Atlantic. This mixture can lead to unstable atmospheric conditions that trigger episodes of heavy rain and flash floods, especially along the east coast.

Local authorities have begun to prepare for the possibility of disruptions to outdoor activities and transport later this week. Residents of flood-prone regions have been warned to avoid driving in heavy rains and to secure any outdoor furniture or items that could be swept by wind or water.

The season is just beginning

Alice is not the only DANA to be named this season. AEMET expects to see more similar systems over the next few months as Spain moves into autumn. The agency stresses that not all DANAs are dangerous. But those with the potential to cause disruption will be identified and tracked.

For now, all eyes are on Alice – and the skies above.