The National Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued an orange alert in Catalonia and the Valencian Community due to the approach of a trough. From this Wednesday afternoon, heavy showers and storms are expected that will mainly affect the coasts of northern Valencia and southern Catalonia. The situation will continue throughout the week and, in the coming days, it will also extend to other areas of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands.
“The presence of the anticyclone over Europe will induce an easterly flow that will bring high humidity to the peninsular Mediterranean coast, while the formation of a depression to the west of the peninsula will attract humid winds from the south over a good part of the peninsula. the Atlantic side,” explains the meteorological agency in an informative note. The combination of the two elements will give rise to strong storms and showers.
AEMET warns of the “high uncertainty” that this type of weather phenomenon generates in the most affected areas – currently Valencia and Catalonia -, although it predicts that the showers will also affect the east of the southern plateau, the Balearic Islands and several points south of Aragon.
This Wednesday, the storms will become more widespread in the east of the peninsula, being particularly intense in the Valencian Community, where they could be persistent, as well as in Aragon and southern Catalonia. By Thursday, the rains will reach more areas of the peninsula, with a particular impact on the southern plateau, Extremadura and other central areas, where the storms could be accompanied by hail.
As the week progresses, the trough will move north, mainly affecting the southern Pyrenees with heavy showers, while thunderstorm activity in the southern half will be more scattered. “In the southern half, thunderstorm activity will also continue, although it will probably be more scattered than in the northern half,” the forecasts point out.
AEMET predicts that from Sunday or Monday, the atmosphere will begin to stabilise in the west of the peninsula, although some instability will persist in the north and east, as well as in the Balearic Islands. “The most likely scenario indicates a progressive atmospheric stabilisation from the west of the peninsula from Sunday 22 or Monday 23, although it is likely that instability and showers will continue in the extreme north and east of the peninsula and in the Balearic Islands,” they explain.
The weather agency recommends closely monitoring forecast updates and being alert to potential storm-related hazards. Local authorities have also reinforced warnings urging people to take precautions, especially in areas where there is a higher likelihood of heavy and persistent downpours.
