Violent 90 km/h downbursts and hail slam Alicante and Murcia after a 43°C heatwave peak

Violent downbursts and hailstorms battered inland and coastal zones of Alicante province and the Region of Murcia on Thursday afternoon, delivering sudden destructive winds after temperatures had climbed to 43ºC. Could this be the beginning of the end for the heatwaves of 2026? AEMET kept red alerts Storms that could produce hail and strong gusts were covered by orange warnings. Thermal downbursts were caused by afternoon instability and struck without warning, like a powerful hot shower.

Murcia Towns face Roof Damage from 80 km/h Blasts

Espinardo is a Murcia district that has seen some of the most dramatic events. The entire roof covering of a rooftop was ripped off by winds exceeding 80km/h, causing debris to fly. Video footage from the area showed a scene that looked like a high-pressured car wash with dust and debris flying through the air. Similar abrupt accelerations occurred in Puerto de Mazarron (where winds approached 80 km/h) and on the A-33, near Jumilla. Gusts reached 60 km/h.

La @AEMET_Murcia mantiene sus avisos de fenómenos meteorológicos adversos para hoy por temperaturas máximas, que serán superiores a los 40º en casi toda la #RegióndeMurcia.
Atención a la Vega del Segura y el Valle del Guadalentín, donde serán especialmente altas.

También se… pic.twitter.com/bFt9hkCd75

— 112 Región de Murcia (@112rmurcia) July 23, 2026

The region experienced a modest but intense rainfall, with hail accompanying stronger cells.

Alicante records dust storms and peaks of 91 km/h

Castalla registered the highest verified gust at 91 km/h, according to Avamet data, while Pinoso reached 85 km/h and Algueña 76 km/h. Raquel Rodvira filmed the thermal downburst in Aspe and shared it with the University of Alicante Climatology Laboratory. A light breeze quickly transformed into an intense blast, which lifted dense dust clouds and moved objects across open terrain.

¡De repente! Aceleración súbita y violenta del viento. Esta tarde (23/07/2026), reventón en el #PuertoDeMazarrón (#Murcia). Rachas de viento de casi 80 km/h en la zona. Vídeo: Daniel Moreno. pic.twitter.com/LJwLVYDFHU

— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) July 23, 2026

Orihuela experienced gusts of 60-80 km/h after the mercury hit 43°C, with 2-7 litres per square metre of rain falling in the surrounding area. A large branch broke off in the Algayat District of La Romana. Wind shifts have been reported by coastal municipalities, including Torrevieja Guardamar Santa Pola and parts of Marina Alta. Authorities warned that the wind changes could be dangerous for boats close to the shore.

¡Brutal! ¡Cómo si fuera un túnel de lavado! Esta tarde (23/07/2026), reventón en #Espinardo, pedanía de #Murcia. Rachas de viento de 80 km/h. Vídeo: Noemí Carpe. pic.twitter.com/4vPkamTEvT

— MeteOrihuela (@MeteOrihuela) July 23, 2026

Conditions worsen as emergency measures are taken

Climate shelters were opened in towns that cancelled outdoor events. Parks and beaches were closed from late afternoon. As the storms blew in, the protocols activated under the red and orange alerts earlier that day were no longer sufficient.

This was a follow-up to the forecasted heatwave, which had temperatures reaching 45C and storms that threatened high winds and hail. Residents and drivers in the southeast were left with a sudden chaos following hours of oppressive temperatures. Those in other areas of the country are watching with keen interest, hoping these storms will bring an end to the oppressive heat.