Spain just had its wettest winter in 47 years – And scientists are warning what comes next

Spain has just lived through its wettest winter in nearly half a century, with a relentless chain of storms turning quiet villages into flood zones and forcing emergency evacuations across parts of the country. Between late December and mid-February, eleven consecutive storms swept across the Iberian Peninsula, bringing record rainfall, flash floods and landslides. According to Spain’s national weather agency AEMET, the rainfall recorded during this period is the highest seen in 47 years, marking a dramatic shift for a country far more used to worrying about drought than overflowing rivers.

For many residents and expats living in southern Spain, the scenes have been striking. Regions famous for sunshine and dry landscapes suddenly found themselves dealing with swollen rivers, damaged roads and communities cut off from the outside world.

A chain of storms that changed the Spanish winter

The turning point came when Storm Leonardo hit the south of the peninsula, particularly Andalusia, bringing intense rain and powerful winds.

In some areas, up to 120 millimetres of rain fell in just one day, while wind gusts reached 150 kilometres per hour. What began as heavy rain quickly turned into dangerous flooding in several provinces.

In Granada province, small communities experienced the most dramatic impact. In the village of Bayacas, located on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, the Chico River suddenly burst its banks, flooding streets and damaging key infrastructure.

Water supply pipes ruptured under the pressure and several access roads disappeared beneath floodwater before emergency services could reach the area. Residents reported bridges collapsing and cars being swept away by the force of the water.

Near the Guadalfeo river, floodwaters rose so quickly that some homes were submerged within minutes.

Authorities confirmed that two people lost their lives during the storm, while several towns had to organise evacuations as landslides threatened nearby properties.

For locals and foreign residents alike, the speed of the flooding was the most alarming part. Many said the situation changed within hours, transforming quiet winter landscapes into scenes that looked more like a disaster film.

A country built for drought, not floods

Spain is no stranger to extreme weather, but the country’s infrastructure has traditionally been designed with water shortages in mind rather than sudden excess rainfall.

In regions such as Andalusia, the climate typically brings more than 300 days of sunshine a year, and much of the water management system focuses on storing rain during occasional storms to survive long, dry summers.

This winter’s storms, however, exposed the limits of that approach.

Several towns reported water networks breaking under pressure, while landslides blocked roads and delayed rescue operations. In some remote areas, residents were temporarily cut off from outside help.

In the first hours of the flooding, locals often had to act quickly themselves. Residents built temporary barriers using sandbags and stones, while farmers tried to redirect the flow of water away from fields and homes.

The damage has not been limited to buildings and roads.

Once soil becomes saturated after repeated rainfall, it loses its ability to absorb water. This increases the risk of landslides and erosion, especially in mountainous regions. Agricultural land has also been affected, with some fields buried under layers of mud and debris.

Scientists warn extreme weather may become more common

For climate scientists, this winter may be more than just an unusual season.

According to AEMET, Spain has now recorded eight consecutive winters that were warmer than average, something that has never happened before in national records.

Warmer air can hold more moisture, which means that when storms do develop, they can release much heavier rainfall over shorter periods of time.

Meteorologist Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for AEMET, explained that storms like Leonardo are becoming more intense partly because warmer ocean temperatures increase evaporation, loading the atmosphere with moisture.

When that moisture is released during a storm, rainfall can quickly reach extreme levels.

The trend is not limited to Spain. In neighbouring Portugal, meteorological authorities reported the wettest February in 47 years, suggesting that the pattern is affecting the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Scientists say the region may increasingly face more extreme swings in weather, with long dry periods followed by sudden intense storms.

What it means for expats living in Spain

For the large expat communities across Spain, particularly in Andalusia, the Costa del Sol and parts of southern Spain, this winter has been a reminder that the country’s climate is becoming less predictable.

Many foreign residents choose Spain for its mild winters and sunshine, but recent months have shown how quickly conditions can change.

Local authorities are now reviewing emergency response systems and infrastructure in flood-prone areas, while meteorologists warn that similar weather patterns could appear again in the future.

The silver lining is that reservoir levels have improved significantly, easing concerns about drought ahead of summer. However, experts say the challenge will now be managing water more effectively when extreme weather hits.

Spain may still be known for its sunshine, beaches and warm climate, but this winter has shown a different side of the country’s weather.

And if scientists are right, the combination of droughts and sudden violent storms could become part of Spain’s new climate reality in the years ahead.