AEMET alerts: Claudia is coming – Warm, calm days to flip into heavy rain and strong winds

The weather in Spain will be very unpredictable this week, with temperatures ranging from almost summerlike to heavy rains, storms, and sudden temperature drops.

The State Meteorological Agency AEMET Borrasca, Claudia is the official name of a new Atlantic Storm System that will have an impact on many parts of the United States.

This is a striking example of timing: The warm weather of the first week feels more like spring than November. A few days later, the temperature drops, the wind picks up, and it becomes much colder. What starts as terrace weather could end up with coats and umbrellas in hand.

AEMET spokesperson Rubén del Campo explained that temperatures will climb steadily during the first days of the week, reaching levels clearly higher than usual for this time of year, before dropping quickly as the weekend approaches.

It’s going be a week where many people start the week in short sleeves, and finish it in jackets.

Early in the Week, warm air is dominant

A large part of Spain is experiencing a mild start to the week. The temperatures will rise across the peninsula due to southerly winds that are warmer and softer in November than usual.

Cities such as Sevilla and Granada could reach around 28°C, which is remarkable for early November. Murcia, Bilbao, Toledo and Palma are set to hover around 25°C, and even Madrid is expected to reach 22°C – about five to ten degrees above the seasonal average.

Mornings in the interior can start off with patches of fog. This is especially true on the Meseta. The warmth will be evident once the fog is cleared.

Galicia will see signs of the storm as it approaches, even though much of Spain has been enjoying sunshine. Persistent showers and some strong gusts of wind are likely through Monday and Tuesday November 11, with the Atlantic swell in Galicia pushing waves above six metres – a reminder that autumn weather hasn’t disappeared, even if the temperatures are pretending otherwise.

Storm Claudia arrives: heavy rain and strong wind

Storm Claudia moving in from Atlantic is expected to be the turning point for midweek.

On Wednesday November 12, Claudia will reach the Canary Islands firstThe western islands are particularly susceptible to heavy rains and thunderstorms. The downpours could be intense enough locally to cause problems, so travellers and residents are encouraged to keep an eye on local weather reports.

On Wednesday, November 13, the storm is expected to begin affecting the western part of the peninsula. Galicia, the west of Asturias, parts of Castilla y León, Extremadura, and even areas of Huelva are likely to experience hours of persistent rain – the kind that accumulates quickly and can cause flooding in susceptible areas.

And yet, despite the stormy conditions, temperatures will continue to rise slightly midweek  – especially at night. In parts of Andalucía’s Mediterranean coast and the eastern Cantabrian, nighttime temperatures may not drop below 18°C, creating nights that feel strangely warm and humid for November.

It will be unseasonably hot during the day. Cities like Bilbao, San Sebastián, Cádiz, Murcia and Ciudad Real are expected to stay comfortably above 25°C, while Sevilla and Granada could once again hit 28–30°C. There’s even a chance Melilla may reach 32°C.

The air is like summer, but the skies are filled with storms.

The temperatures will drop suddenly at the end of this week

From Friday, November 14, everything changes. Behind the storm, an air mass much cooler will descend and cause temperatures to fall sharply throughout most of Spain. In the west and central areas, it will feel more like mid November.

The atmosphere will remain unsettling as rain is forecast to continue throughout the weekend in the West and the centre of the peninsula. Once Claudia has moved on, the weather in the Canary Islands should gradually improve.

This week’s weather in Spain is a reminder how quickly the autumn season can change: from sun and warmth to rain and wind.

If you’re making travel plans, heading out for coastal walks or simply deciding whether to leave your coat at home – it’s definitely worth checking the forecast more than once over the next few days.