As Spain braces for a weather shift, the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has activated alerts due to the imminent arrival of a DANA (isolated depression at high levels), which is expected to bring storms across the country. This weather phenomenon comes just as many were hoping for stable spring conditions, but forecasts indicate a more turbulent atmosphere ahead.
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the AEMET predicts that storms will primarily affect the extreme northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. These storms may be locally intense and could produce small hail, adding to the concern for residents in affected areas. As the day progresses, maximum temperatures are expected to drop significantly in large inland regions of northern Spain, while areas along the Mediterranean and Alboran coasts may see slight increases in temperatures.
Barcelona and Girona in Catalonia have been placed under a rain warning, while Huesca and Zaragoza in Aragon, as well as Tarragona in Catalonia and Castellón in the Valencian Community, are under a wind warning. According to AEMET, cloudy skies will dominate the northern third of Spain, with weak precipitation moving from west to east throughout the day. By the afternoon, these conditions are set to escalate, particularly in the extreme northeast, where storms will intensify.
"Predominance of cloudy or overcast skies in the northern third, with weak precipitation advancing from west to east, which will intensify in the afternoon, potentially becoming locally strong with small hail in the extreme northeast," AEMET reported. Snow is also forecasted in the Pyrenees at elevations above 1,700 to 2,000 meters.
In terms of temperature changes, maximum temperatures will rise slightly along the Mediterranean and Alboran coasts, while inland areas of northern Spain will experience a notable decrease. Minimum temperatures are also set to drop in the western half of the peninsula and in northern mountain areas, particularly within the Iberian System. Frost conditions will be limited to high altitudes in northern mountain ranges.
Wind conditions are expected to be generally light, but stronger gusts are anticipated along the Cantabrian and Galician coasts. The Ebro valley will experience moderate cierzo winds, which may escalate to strong intervals, particularly near its mouth. Meanwhile, the Canary Islands will continue to see moderate trade winds.
As the day unfolds, the AEMET warns of a potential for violent weather in Catalonia, where a small DANA is moving south from France towards Spain. This DANA is expected to enhance instability in the region, leading to strong showers and storms.
Meteorologist Ángel Rivera, a former spokesperson for AEMET, has been vocal about the upcoming weather changes. He shared on social media that this new DANA will effectively end the calm weather experienced over Iberia, bringing with it rain, storms, and hail across much of the country.
Rivera noted that the cold core of the DANA, which carries temperatures between -24 and -26 ºC at mid-tropospheric levels, will cross through Catalonia on the evening of April 26, reaching the Balearic Islands by April 27. He described how the cold air would contrast with the daytime warming, creating conditions ripe for intense thunderstorms and downpours across Catalonia and the Balearics.
Warnings have been issued for several regions, including Berguedà and Ripollès in Catalonia, where the AEMET anticipates maximum danger from adverse weather phenomena such as hail and wind gusts exceeding 70 km/h. The first showers are expected to develop in the Pre-Pyrenees of Lleida and Barcelona, moving southeast towards the central coast as the day progresses.
In Girona and Barcelona, particularly in the interior, rainfall could accumulate to over 40 liters per square meter, while Lleida may see between 20 and 30 liters per square meter. In contrast, Tarragona is expected to remain relatively dry.
The AEMET has set alerts for intense rains throughout the Pyrenees, central depressions of Lleida, and Barcelona's pre-coastal area, with expectations of 20 liters per square meter or more falling within an hour between noon and midnight on April 26. Meteocat, the meteorological agency of Catalonia, has also issued similar warnings, emphasizing the potential for intense downpours as the day comes to a close.
As the weekend approaches, many Spaniards are left wondering how the weather will affect their plans. With the arrival of this DANA and the associated storms, outdoor activities may need to be reconsidered. The unpredictability of spring weather in Spain has once again come to the forefront, reminding residents of the importance of staying informed and prepared for sudden changes in conditions.
In summary, the upcoming days promise to bring significant weather shifts to Spain, with the AEMET and meteorologists urging caution and preparedness as storms and rain are set to impact various regions. As the DANA approaches, residents are advised to keep an eye on weather updates and heed any warnings issued by local authorities.
