‘Intense’ thunderstorms and giant hail as DANA set to hit Spain’s tourist hotspots this week

HOLIDAY chaos threatens some of Spain’s top tourist spots as severe thunderstorms are expected to bring dangerous winds and giant hailstones by the weekend.

A dangerous weather system known as DANA is barrelling towards the eastern Mediterranean coast, with  the Costa Blanca, Valencia region and Balearic Islands in the firing line.

Forecasters warn that Saturday, November 17, is a day for staying indoors to avoid the worst conditions these holiday resorts have seen in months.

The Valencia region, which includes the Costa Blanca resorts of Benidorm and Torrevieja is under a direct attack from storms that bring torrential downpours, large hailstones and gale-force wind. 

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In the path of the storm are also the Balearic Islands – Mallorca, Ibiza and others.

Weather experts at Meteored are sounding the alarm over what they describe as potentially ‘highly organised’ storms that could bring very heavy rain, local flooding, giant hailstones and extremely strong winds. They haven’t even ruled the formation of a tornado.

“Saturday is expected to be the most complicated day of the week,” forecasters warned, with the eastern half of Spain – hosting millions of peak-summer holidaymakers – facing the greatest risk.

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On Friday, the weather drama will begin to build when thunderstorms intensify in Catalonia and Valencian Community. 

The DANA system is expected to unleash its full fury on Saturday, with storms developing early along large parts of the east coast.

DANA systems (also known as cold droplets) occur when the normal weather patterns are disrupted by cold air in the upper atmosphere. 

These systems, while not necessarily a disaster, can create extremely dangerous conditions without warning.

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Forecasts show that the Balearic Islands may experience scattered but intense showers while the Valencia region and Costa Blanca are bracing themselves for the main assault. Catalonia and Aragon are also likely to be hit by severe weather.

Beyond the immediate coastal threat, the system will also pummel inland areas including the Cantabrian Mountains, eastern Castile and León, Navarre and La Rioja with intense storms and heavy rainfall.

By Sunday the weather system is likely to begin fading as it gets absorbed into the normal circulation patterns. 

The Pyrenees could see a few thundery showers. Temperatures in northern Spain will also drop.

The Olive Press has more weather news. Click here to view it.