On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, a significant weather alert has been issued across several provinces in Andalusia, particularly focusing on the province of Almería. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has activated yellow warnings due to strong wind gusts and coastal phenomena, which could pose risks to various activities and travel in the most exposed areas.
The wind alert is concentrated in Almería, with particular attention to the capital, Poniente, and Levante regions. Starting from noon and continuing until the end of the day, westerly winds are expected to reach speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour. This intensity justifies the yellow alert activated by AEMET, highlighting the potential dangers for driving and outdoor activities.
The situation in Almería is expected to worsen later in the day, particularly in the regions of Valle del Almanzora, Los Vélez, Nacimiento, and Campo de Tabernas. Here, the wind alert will commence at 9:00 PM and remain active until midnight, further complicating conditions in these areas.
In addition to the wind, AEMET has issued yellow warnings for coastal phenomena in several southern provinces. On the coast of Almería, winds of between 50 and 60 kilometers per hour are anticipated, with waves possibly reaching heights of three meters. This maritime wind alert, classified as “force 7” on the Beaufort scale, poses risks for recreational navigation, fishing, and any activities near the sea.
Similar coastal warnings are in place for the Estrecho region in Cádiz, effective from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, where intense westerly winds are also expected. The coast of Granada will not be spared either, as gusts between 50 and 61 kilometers per hour are predicted to develop from 3:00 PM onwards, resulting in strong waves along the coastline.
The weather instability affecting the region is typical of the seasonal transition, with a cold front moving across the Peninsula and leaving cloudy skies and precipitation, particularly in the eastern half of Spain. This instability is expected to persist into the following days, with showers and possible thunderstorms affecting most of the Peninsula.
On the same day, rains are intensifying during Holy Week, prompting AEMET to activate warnings in ten communities. The agency has noted that instability will prevail in the Peninsula and Balearic Islands, with a cold front crossing the Peninsula and leading to cloudy skies and precipitation in the eastern half.
Showers and storms are anticipated across much of the Peninsula, with the possibility of hail in certain areas. Rainfall is expected to be persistent along the Atlantic coast and in specific Cantabrian regions, with local forecasts indicating that showers and storms could be particularly strong in the far north and the eastern third of the Peninsula.
Warnings for rain have been issued in Cantabria, Catalunya, Galicia, and Comunitat Valenciana, while snowfall is expected in mountainous regions of the northern half and southeast of Spain. The snow level is forecasted to range between 900 to 1200 meters in the northwest, descending from 1800-2000 meters to between 1000-1400 meters in other areas. Significant accumulations are anticipated in the Cantabrian Mountains and Pyrenees, especially above 1100 meters.
Moderate winds from the west and southwest are expected to sweep across the Peninsula and Balearic Islands, with intervals of strong winds and potential very strong gusts on the southern coast and Cantabrian regions. The AEMET has also warned of possible very strong gusts in mountain areas of the southeastern Peninsula toward the end of the day.
Overall, temperatures are expected to decrease significantly throughout the Peninsula, with notable drops in many interior regions. The eastern coastal areas and the islands are likely to remain unchanged, although slight to moderate decreases in minimum temperatures are forecasted for the Balearic Islands.
This dynamic weather pattern reflects the unpredictable nature of spring in Spain, where conditions can shift rapidly from mild to severe. The arrival of a polar air mass from Greenland is expected to exacerbate the situation, leading to what some meteorologists describe as "winter bites" across a large part of the country.
In Zaragoza, the Municipal Emergency Plan has been activated due to forecasts of intense rains, storms, and hail affecting the city. The plan will be active from 2:00 PM until 9:59 PM, coinciding with an orange alert declared by AEMET for the Ribera del Ebro area, where accumulated rainfall could reach up to 30 liters per square meter in just one hour. The local government has urged residents to take precautions and avoid unnecessary travel during this period.
The adverse weather conditions are not limited to Almería and Zaragoza; numerous regions are under yellow and orange alerts as AEMET continues to monitor the evolving situation. With Holy Week festivities often reliant on favorable weather, many processions are at risk of cancellation due to the ongoing storms.
As the weather continues to develop, residents are encouraged to stay informed and heed warnings from local authorities and AEMET. The unpredictability of spring weather in Spain serves as a reminder of nature's power and the importance of preparedness in the face of potential storms.
