Valencia region on red alert: Carnival parades and football matches suspended

If you live in Castellón, Valencia or Alicante, this weekend’s plans may need rethinking. The Centro de Coordinación de Emergencias de la Generalitat Valenciana has raised the wind warning to red level in Castellón province, with gusts forecast to reach up to 140 km/h from the early hours of Friday February 13. Valencia and Alicante remain under orange alert, while coastal warnings are also in place.

The alert, issued with data from Aemet (Agencia Estatal de Meteorología) and shared via 112 Comunitat Valenciana, has already led to cancelled parades, suspended football matches and the closure of parks and public spaces. The reason is straightforward: winds at this strength can cause falling branches, flying debris and dangerous coastal conditions.

Here’s what the warning actually means on the ground, which events have been affected, and what residents across the Comunidad Valenciana should do over the coming days.

Red alert in Castellón: What the warning actually means

A red weather alert is the highest level issued in Spain. In practical terms, it means there is a serious risk to safety and potential damage to property.

For Castellón, that translates into expected gusts of up to 140 km/h beginning early Friday. These are not just breezy conditions – they are strong enough to bring down trees, damage temporary structures and make driving hazardous.

In Valencia and Alicante, the alert is orange for wind. That still signals significant danger, particularly in exposed areas or near the coast. Coastal alerts are orange along the Castellón shoreline and yellow elsewhere in the region, reflecting rough sea conditions.

For example, someone living in central Valencia might experience strong gusts and falling debris, while a resident near the Castellón coast could face both extreme winds and dangerous sea swells.

Events and public spaces closed across the Region

The weather has already forced local authorities to act.

In Valencia city, the Chinese New Year parade scheduled for Saturday 14 February has been postponed. The Ruzafa Carnival celebrations planned for the same day have also been cancelled.

The City Council has ordered the closure of parks and gardens, including the Jardín del Túria, and advised residents to avoid La Devesa. Officials recommend staying indoors where possible, securing doors and windows and avoiding unnecessary movement outdoors.

In Alicante, the carnival opening speech and Friday night celebrations in Plaza del Carmen have been suspended. The Castillo de Santa Bárbara has been closed, and school sports training sessions have been cancelled. Saturday markets and school sports activities will also not go ahead.

Meanwhile, the Federación de Fútbol de la Comunidad Valenciana (FFCV) has confirmed the suspension of all matches scheduled for Saturday under its management, including Tercera RFEF competitions and youth leagues.

How the situation differs between provinces

The level of risk is not identical across the Comunidad Valenciana.

Castellón is under red alert, meaning the highest level of risk from wind. Valencia and Alicante remain under orange alert, which still indicates potentially dangerous conditions but slightly lower intensity.

That means a family in Castellón could face stronger gusts and higher likelihood of structural disruption than someone in southern Alicante. However, both areas are advised to take precautions.

Coastal areas require particular caution. Even if winds inland are manageable, sea conditions can deteriorate rapidly along promenades and beaches.

What to do if conditions escalate

Authorities recommend following updates from 112 CV and Aemet throughout the weekend.

If winds intensify:

– Stay indoors during peak gusts.
– Secure balconies and remove loose outdoor items.
– Avoid driving across exposed bridges or viaducts.
– Keep away from coastal paths and seafronts.

For instance, if you had planned to attend an outdoor event in Valencia on Saturday afternoon, it would be wise to check council announcements first rather than travelling into the city centre.

Weekend timeline at a glance

Early Friday: Red alert begins in Castellón.
Friday evening: Carnival events in Alicante suspended.
Saturday: Parades, markets and football matches cancelled across the region.
Ongoing: Coastal alerts remain active depending on conditions.

Further updates will depend on how the system develops over the weekend.

A Precautionary approach

Local councils appear to be taking a preventative stance rather than waiting for incidents to occur. Wind gusts close to 140 km/h are strong enough to cause injuries through falling objects and unstable temporary structures.

Cancelling large gatherings in advance reduces the risk of emergency interventions later. While it may feel disruptive, particularly for carnival organisers and sports clubs, early action limits exposure during peak conditions.

What this means for residents in the Comunidad Valenciana

If you live in Castellón, Valencia or Alicante, this weekend is one to approach cautiously. Outdoor plans may need postponing, and coastal visits should be reconsidered.

The key message from 112 Comunitat Valenciana and Aemet is simple: stay informed, limit unnecessary movement, and prioritise safety until the alert levels are reduced.