Aemet warns of storms of up to 250 l/m2 in these areas

Plunged into the biggest storm of rain and wind so far in autumn 2024, Spain faces this Tuesday 29 “worst day“in the words of Rubén Del Campo, spokesperson for the National Meteorological Agency (Aemet). The movement of the DANA (Isolated High Level Depression) during the weekend and Monday from the northwest towards the Gulf of Cádiz will continue to depart heavy, even torrential rain especially on the Mediterranean side.

The Mediterranean arc, the strip that extends from the south of the province of Tarragona to the Strait of Gibraltar, will remain the main area affected by the episode. In the points of the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia, Aemet predicts that exceed 150 liters per square meter in less than 24 hours, with risk of flooding in the boulevards and ravines. Weather portals like ElTiempo.es They raised this forecast to almost 250 l/m2 at the end of the episode, and Weatherized I did not rule out reaching 300 l/m2.

The power of the storm is fueled by winds that have traveled great distances a Mediterranean “warmer than normal for this time of year”explains Del Campo. By finding much more moisture available, DANA favors the formation of very strong, persistent, even torrential thunderstorms. In addition, low pressures over the Gulf of Cádiz will cause cyclogenesis that will evolve into an isolated storm.

“The sea water in early autumn in the Mediterranean is warm, and in recent years more than usual, so it is always an additional ingredient when it comes to favor stormy developments” explain Mar Gomezmeteorologist ElTiempo.esat EL ESPAÑOL. “In this case, several factors combine. DANA will be located in the southwest of the peninsula and the very humid wind from the Levant will bring additional humidity, causing very intense, even torrential, rains.”

“This configuration will favor the imposition of very humid and relatively warm easterly winds on the east of the peninsula,” they emphasize. ElTiempo.es.
Aemet specifies for its part that they could also be developed intense showers in central areas and the rest of the southern peninsulabut they should not reach the “virulence of those expected in the Mediterranean”.

Given that the phenomenon would remain stationary at least until Thursday, the accumulated precipitation could exceed 240 l/m2 in Tarragona, Castellón and Valenciathe epicenter of the storm. Between 100 and 200 l/m2 will be reached in the rest of the Mediterranean regions and the south; less than 100 l/m2 in the center; while the north and northwest of the peninsula will be the areas where rains will be less likely and weaker if they occur.

Although the uncertainty is great, it is expected that from Thursday the instability will move towards Portugal. Heavy rains could still occur in the south and southwest of the peninsula, as well as in the Balearic Islands, but they would move away from the Mediterranean arc. Nevertheless, Rains could continue Friday 1stAll Saints’ Day, and until Saturday 2.

Extremadura, Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha These would be the provinces with the greatest possibility of heavy showers on Friday, they point out. ElTiempo.es. “Saturday and Sunday will a priori be more stable days, but the precipitation will continue in the Mediterranean, as in the Valencian Community, in Murcia, in the Balearic Islands and in the south of Catalonia, without excluding eastern Andalusia”, specify -they.

However, the situation will remain unpredictable, says Gómez. “DANA is a cold air mass in the upper layers of the atmosphere which breaks away from the jet stream and is isolated. This only causes torrential rain in good conditions. With the isolated cold storm (BFA), this cold air mass affects the lower layers of the atmosphere and generates low surface pressure. Depending on other conditions, rain may be more or less serious“.

Regarding temperatures, they will generally remain at typical values ​​for this time of year or slightly higher. Snowfall will only occur at high altitudes, particularly on the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Del Campo recalled that throughout these days, in addition to the rain, it is important to be attentive to the winds of the East which will blow with intensity in the Mediterranean area, causing poor sea conditions in this area with strong waves.