Spain braces itself for snow and heavy rainfall as the new DANA storm triggers severe weather alerts

Spain is faced with another round of unpredictable weather. DANA Storm system sweeps the country bringing heavy rainfall, snowfall, and weather warnings in several regions. According to Spain’s National Weather Agency, AEMETThe most severe conditions will be in the southeast, where the rain may turn heavy locally and snow could fall in the mountainous regions.

Forecasters have warned that there could be significant snowfall or heavy rains in some areas within a very short period of time due to the sudden weather change.

Heavy rains expected in Mediterranean regions

Meteorologists have predicted that the storm’s centre will be in the southeast of Spain, with rain and widespread clouds covering large areas of the Balearic Islands and peninsula.

The following areas are most vulnerable to heavy rain:

• Murcia
• Valencian Community
• Mediterranean coastal areas
• Strait of Gibraltar, Alboran Sea

According to AEMET Forecasts indicate that rainfall in Murcia, Ibiza, and some parts of the Valencian Community could be intense, with accumulations reaching 20 litres/square metre within just an hour.

Rain could continue for 12 hours in some parts of the province of Alicante. Totals may exceed 60 litres/square-metre.

Snow warnings for southern Spain

Snow is expected in mountainous regions, where it is not common to see snow.

Andalusia has issued the most serious warnings, with authorities raising the alert levels to orange for parts of Granada province.

Forecasters predict that snow accumulation in some areas could reach five centimetres within 24 hours.

There is a possibility of snow falling below 800 metres in some places, though it may still be possible.

Other snow alerts were also issued in:

• Sierra Nevada & the Alpujarras
• Cazorla and Segura mountain ranges in Jaén
• Ronda area in Málaga
• Almanzora Valley, Los Vélez and Campo de Tabernas in Almería

Forecasters predict between two and seven centimetres in snowfall for these areas within the next 24 hours.

Castilla La Mancha, Murcia and Castilla La Mancha are also on yellow alert for snowfall.

Five regions are under a weather alert

Five Spanish regions have issued official weather warnings. The majority of them are on yellow alert.

Included in the affected areas are:

• Andalusia – orange alert Snowfall in Granada
• Murcia – warnings for both rain and snow
• Castilla-La Mancha – snow alerts in eastern areas
• Valencian Community and Balearic Islands – heavy rain warnings

Canary Islands are still under yellow alert due to strong winds, rough seas and gusts of up to 70 km/hr in exposed areas.

Storm to weaken by midweek

As the DANA system moves away from the peninsula, the weather will gradually improve on Wednesday.

The rain will continue to fall in parts of Castilla La Mancha and eastern Andalusia.

As temperatures rise across the country, the snow level will also increase.

Forecasters say temperatures could reach around 18°C in river valleys such as the Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir, as well as parts of northeastern Spain and the Balearic Islands.

Rain expected to continue through the weekend

This brief improvement could not last. Another Atlantic front may approach Spain in the next few days, according to weather models.

Rain could return to Galicia, northern Castilla y León and the Cantabrian coast on Friday, before spreading across broader areas of the peninsula by Saturday.

By Sunday, 15 March, precipitation will retreat to the north, but cooler northerly wind may cause temperatures to drop and feel colder.

The priority for meteorologists is to monitor Tuesday’s system of storms, which will likely bring the greatest weather impacts this week.