Weather Alert for Spain: A new Atlantic storm could bring fresh rainfall this week

Spain has not yet finished with its unresolved disputes Weather Not yet. Meteorologists watch a developing Atlantic system that may form off the Iberian Peninsula in the coming week. This could bring another round of rains to certain parts of the nation. According to the forecast models analyzed by the weather platform MeteoredA cold isolated storm could form near Portugal and Azores. This would increase the probability of more rain than usual in southern Spain and Canary Islands.

The latest predictions suggest that even though the recent rainy season may be over, spring is still not far away.

Atlantic storm system near Spain could bring additional rain

A deep Atlantic trough is expected to move southwards in the next few days towards the Iberian Peninsula. It can cause the formation a low-pressure surface system when this occurs.

Meteorologists say this potential system could develop into what is known as a cold isolated storm, sometimes referred to as a BFA (Borrasca Fría Aislada). This system behaves similar to the well-known DANA It is a weather phenomenon that has a low-pressure center at the surface.

If the storm intensifies enough, it could even receive an official name – Samuel – under the European storm naming system.

The reason for this pattern of weather is much farther north. Forecast models suggest a high-pressure system blocking may form in northern Europe. It could affect the UK, Sweden and Finland.

When high pressure builds at these latitudes, storms in the Atlantic are forced to move further south. These weather systems can cause Spain and southern Europe to be directly in their path.

Meteorologists call this pattern a Scandinavian Blocking System, and they are often linked to prolonged rainy episodes in the Iberian Peninsula.

Rain expected in southern Spain, Canary Islands

Canary Islands will be first to feel the effects of the storm if the forecast holds true.

Models indicate that there could be heavy rains from Wednesday. The wind is also expected to change direction to the south-west, which usually signals the arrival in the archipelago of Atlantic systems.

Meanwhile, the mainland of Spain could be subject to a more complex climate setup.

By Thursday, March 19, meteorologists say the atmosphere may develop into what is known as an “Omega blocking” pattern, named after its resemblance to the Greek letter Ω on weather charts.

In this configuration, a large high-pressure system stretches from North Africa to the British Isles, while two low-pressure areas sit on either side – one near Portugal and another over central Europe.

This pattern can trap weather system in place and prolong rainy conditions.

Canary Islands are likely to experience the most consistent rainfall in this scenario, while conditions on mainland Spain can be more variable depending on how system develops.

Southwest Spain could experience above-average rainfall

The European Forecasting Model has produced maps of precipitation anomalies that show the coming week will bring more rain than usual to some parts of southwest Spain.

Rainfall totals in western Extremadura, and some parts of Andalusia could be 10-30 litres/square metre higher than seasonal averages.

In contrast, the northern regions of Galicia and Cantabrian Coast may have drier weather during the same time period.

Meteorologists predict that if the weather pattern develops as predicted, the final week in March will also bring more rain to southern Spain, the Mediterranean Coast, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.

Forecasters do, however, stress that there’s still some uncertainty, especially with medium-range predictions.

What does this mean for expats and residents in Spain?

For many residents across Spain – especially expats living in popular regions such as Andalusia, the Costa del Sol, Alicante or the Balearic Islands – the recent weather has already felt unusually unsettled.

The return of rain in some areas has been welcome, especially in those places where reservoirs had dropped.

Rain can cause travel delays, disrupt outdoor events, and disrupt tourism activities. This is especially true as we approach the busy spring vacation season.

Meteorologists say that even though the storm system may bring another rainy spell, the weather can change quickly depending on the Atlantic weather pattern.

The weather forecasts will be updated over the next couple of days.

If the models are accurate, Spain may still have a few rainy days left before the sun returns.