Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
[ad_1]
Today, those returning home or coming to Malaga for a long-overdue summer holiday could find themselves in a real mess as thunderstorms sweep through the Costa Blanca province, Murcia, Almeria, and Malaga.
Malaga Airport was already battered. The Costa del Sol was hit by a sudden storm that dumped heavy rainfall and caused more than 150 lighting strikes. Nearly 30 flights were delayed between 6am-9am. These included services to Paris and Amsterdam. Lisbon-bound flight cancelled in full. Holidaymakers were startled as they watched the weather drama unfold. Hailstones bounced off of the tarmac.
¿Preparados para la segunda tanda? 😏 pic.twitter.com/1uBJVnY8Ds
— Sistema Climático MLG (@SistClimatico) August 15, 2026
The weekend is wet and stormy
It is predicted that the same weather will continue to be unsettled, caused by the trough of low-pressure, which has now become what the Spanish refer to as a DANA. AEMET has issued yellow alerts across the region for severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall (up to 25 litres of rain per square metre an hour at some places), hail, and gusty wind.
Alicante-Elche Airport on the Costa Blanca falls under the same umbrella warning covering Alicante province and Valencia province. Inland areas, some coastal spots could see intense cells develop from around 2pm. The airport in Murcia is also at risk, as yellow alerts are active between 2pm and 10pm, for the Altiplano (northwest), Vega del Segura (Guadalentin valley), Lorca, and Aguilas. Almeria Airport is also at risk under the Andalucian Yellow Warnings, which stretch from Almeria all the way to Granada and Malaga.
¿Estoy grabando una tormenta en Málaga a las 4 de la madrugada?
Estoy grabando una tormenta en Málaga a las 4 de la madrugada. pic.twitter.com/9aCCR7736z— Sergio (@sergioac2) August 15, 2026
These classic Spanish summer thunderstorms are short, sharp and localised. However, when they occur near a busy airport, they may cause planes to stop for hours. Lightning can cause ground crews to be grounded, while wind shear and slick runways make approaches difficult. Even a few hours of disruption can lead to missed connections or delayed returns, especially with the extra traffic that is expected during Spain’s bank holiday weekend on August 15.
Espectacular 🩵 Málaga at 7.12 A.M#Malaga #Tormenta pic.twitter.com/oGcI7Y6XXv
— Samanta ✈ (@samantargbs) August 15, 2026
Flight delays and reroutes can affect other flights
Knock-on effect is a real problem for many. EasyJet, Ryanair Jet2, British Airways and Jet2 are all popular airlines that fly to these airports in the UK. A late arrival in Alicante or Murcia could mean that you miss out on your transfer coach or rental car slot. The possibility exists that those returning home will have to wait on the tarmac, or even in the terminal as crews await the storm’s clearing. The storm could cause delays on connecting flights that pass through Madrid or Barcelona. These airports are already under stress from other weather and industrial action.
When weather is to blame, airlines will usually rebook passengers at no cost. But don’t count on a smooth ride. Allow extra time to get to the airport and check your flight status on the Aena website or airline app. When driving to the airport watch out for flash floods on roads near rivers. These storms can drop a month’s worth of rain in a matter of minutes.
The temperatures will still be in the mid-30s. Keep your umbrellas and travel apps ready for now. It’s better to be safe than stuck.
[ad_2]
