Spain braces for snow and heavy rain as new DANA storm triggers weather alerts

Spain is facing another bout of unstable weather as a new DANA storm system sweeps across the country, bringing heavy rain, snowfall and weather warnings to several regions. According to Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, the most intense conditions are expected in the southeast of the country, where rain could turn locally heavy and snow may fall in mountainous areas.

The sudden shift in weather has placed multiple regions under alerts for snow, rain and strong winds, with forecasters warning that some areas could see significant snowfall and intense downpours within a short period of time.

Heavy rain expected across Mediterranean regions

Meteorologists say the southeast of Spain will be the centre of the storm on Tuesday, March 10, with widespread cloud cover and rain affecting large parts of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands.

The areas most exposed to the downpours include:

• Murcia
• Valencian Community
• Mediterranean coastal regions
• The Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea

According to AEMET forecasts, rainfall could become locally intense in Murcia, Ibiza and parts of the Valencian Community, with accumulations exceeding 20 litres per square metre in just one hour.

In some areas of Alicante province, the rain could be even more persistent, with totals potentially surpassing 60 litres per square metre over 12 hours.

Snow warnings issued for southern Spain

While rain dominates the coast, colder air associated with the DANA is expected to bring snowfall to several mountainous areas, including regions where snow is less common.

The most significant warnings have been issued in Andalusia, where authorities have raised the alert level to orange in parts of Granada province.

Forecasters say snow accumulation could exceed five centimetres in 24 hours in areas such as:

• Genil basin
• Guadix
• Baza

The snow is expected to fall above 1,200 metres, although lower snow levels around 800 to 1,000 metres are possible in some locations.

Additional snow alerts have also been issued in:

• Sierra Nevada and the Alpujarras
• Cazorla and Segura mountain ranges in Jaén
• Ronda area in Málaga
• Almanzora Valley, Los Vélez and Campo de Tabernas in Almería

In these areas, forecasters expect between two and seven centimetres of snow within 24 hours.

Beyond Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia are also under yellow weather alerts for snowfall.

Five regions under weather alerts

In total, five Spanish regions are currently under official weather warnings, with most placed on yellow alert for adverse conditions.

The affected areas include:

• Andalusia – orange alert for snowfall in parts of Granada
• Murcia – warnings for both rain and snow
• Castilla-La Mancha – snow alerts in eastern areas
• Valencian Community and Balearic Islands – heavy rain warnings

Meanwhile, the Canary Islands remain under yellow alert for strong winds and rough seas, with gusts expected to reach up to 70 km/h in exposed areas.

Storm expected to weaken midweek

The unsettled weather is expected to gradually ease on Wednesday, as the DANA system begins to move away from the peninsula.

Rain will likely continue in eastern Andalusia, the Valencian Community and parts of Castilla-La Mancha, but precipitation should become weaker as the day progresses.

At the same time, snow levels will rise above 1,600 metres, while temperatures begin to climb across much of the country.

Forecasters say temperatures could reach around 18°C in river valleys such as the Tagus, Guadiana and Guadalquivir, as well as parts of northeastern Spain and the Balearic Islands.

More rain possible by the weekend

The brief improvement may not last long. Weather models suggest another Atlantic front could approach Spain later in the week.

Rain could return to Galicia, northern Castilla y León and the Cantabrian coast on Friday, before spreading across broader areas of the peninsula by Saturday.

By Sunday, March 15, precipitation is expected to retreat again toward the northern regions, although cooler northerly winds may bring a noticeable drop in temperatures and a chillier feel.

For now, meteorologists say the priority is monitoring Tuesday’s storm system, which is likely to bring the most significant weather impacts of the week.