The southern region of Spain is bracing for substantial rainfall as the Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA) moves across the Iberian Peninsula, with warnings issued by the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) for several areas starting Monday, March 3, 2025. Heavy rain is predicted to persist, particularly affecting Catalonia, the Costa del Sol, and parts of Alicante.
On Monday, Aemet activated orange and yellow weather alerts for Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Comunidad Valenciana due to the anticipated rainfall. The warning signals significant precipitation, especially concentrated in southern regions like Terres de l'Ebre, where dangerous weather conditions have been projected.
Weather forecasts indicate Catalonia will experience dense cloud cover and significant rainfall, with the weather being particularly severe on Monday. Residents of southern Catalonia are bracing for intense rain under the orange alert, predicted to bring local downpours and possible flooding. Meanwhile, Aemet reported, "precipitaciones localmente fuertes y persistentes"—intense and persistent rainfall—on its official weather briefing.
Throughout the week, patterns of intermittent rain are expected to shift, moderATING by midweek, but intensifying anew from Thursday onward. Spanish coastal cities are likely to remain drenched under continuous rain, prompting preparedness measures among local authorities. Aemet expects this wave of rains to last through the weekend, indicating substantial precipitation totals across the board.
On the southern coast, Malaga's province began the week with severe weather warnings, with alert levels set at red for Ronda, orange for the Costa del Sol, and yellow for Antequera. Juan de Dios del Pino, the provincial head of Aemet, forecasted the storm conditions will weaken somewhat by Tuesday but expect renewed activity on Wednesday. "We anticipate persistent rains moving across the region by Friday due to new Atlantic instability," he stated, hinting at continued widespread rainfall well beyond the immediate DANA effects.
Rainfall statistics reveal the most rainfall recorded so far was significant, with regions like La Vall d'Ebo collecting almost 284 liters per square meter, demonstrating the storm's intensity. Upcoming rains threaten to disrupt various community events, with many cancellations already taking place due to the downpours, particularly in areas known for their Carnival celebrations.
Alerts across Alicante have also been heightened, with Aemet indicating possibly severe weather conditions, especially along the northern coastal region. Beginning on Tuesday, March 4, the region is cautioned about precipitation rates potentially reaching 100 liters per square meter within 12 hours. "La gota fría ha dado una tregua este lunes, pero volverá a arreciar el martes de manera muy intensa", indicates Aemet, referencing the instability expected to return by Tuesday.
Though the impending rains create challenges, forecasts suggest temperatures could experience slight increases before any substantial drops become apparent. Initially, maximum temperatures along the coast are poised to hover around 20 degrees Celsius and dip gently as the rain peaks. After Thursday, forecasters expect overall temperatures to experience fluctuance, reflecting the broader weather system's inactivity and subsequent reactivations.
Local meteorological experts have been observing conditions closely and advise citizens to remain vigilant. "The rains will be irregular, but they're not predicted to be torrential," stated one expert, calming public fears amid the raindrops.
This week marks the continued presence of significant weather conditions over large areas of Spain, illustrating the need for continued attention from residents and authorities alike. Reports of infrastructure disruptions highlight the urgency of weather preparedness and local response planning as the rains – driven by DANA – replenish drought-stricken reservoirs but threaten low-lying communities.
The significant impacts of DANA on various regions signal broader environmental themes and longterm weather patterns, compelling local administrations to devise effective action plans to protect both lives and properties as these intense weather systems develop.