Storm warning in Spain: AEMET puts 10 regions on alert as strong winds and rough seas hit today

A powerful weather system is sweeping across Spain this Monday, April 13, with 10 regions placed on alert due to strong winds, dangerous sea conditions and falling temperatures. According to Spain’s national weather agency AEMET, the situation is most serious along the Mediterranean coast, where parts of the country are under orange warning, signalling a significant risk.

The worst conditions are expected in Balearic Islands and Catalonia, where rough seas and strong gusts are already causing concern early in the day. Elsewhere, wind, rain and even snowfall are set to affect large parts of the country.

Orange alert in the Mediterranean as waves and wind intensify

The most unsettled weather is concentrated in the east. In the Balearic Islands, Menorca is facing the harshest conditions, with waves expected to reach up to five metres and northerly winds of around 60 km per hour. Mallorca is also affected, though under a lower yellow warning, with waves still reaching around three metres.

In Catalonia, the province of Girona is also under orange alert for coastal conditions, with winds from the north and north west reaching between 60 and 70 km per hour and waves of up to four metres. In the Ampurdán area, gusts could climb even higher, with warnings issued for winds approaching 90 km per hour.

Further south along the coast, Tarragona is also seeing strong north westerly winds, with similar gusts expected throughout the day. For anyone near the coast, conditions are likely to remain rough, particularly in exposed areas.

Snow in the Pyrenees and strong gusts across inland Spain

While the coast deals with the sea, inland areas are facing a different set of challenges. In the Pyrenees, the weather has turned wintry, with snowfall expected in parts of Lleida, where up to five centimetres could accumulate within 24 hours at elevations above 1,100 metres.

At the same time, several inland and southern provinces are under yellow warnings for strong winds. Areas affected include Teruel and Zaragoza in Aragón, Albacete in Castilla La Mancha, and Castellón in the Valencian Community.

Further south, similar conditions are expected in Almería, the Murcia region and Melilla, where north westerly winds could reach up to 70 km per hour. These gusts may not be as severe as those along the coast, but they are still strong enough to cause disruption, especially in open areas.

In the north, the situation is slightly different. Cantabria and the Basque Country started the day with warnings for rough seas and waves of up to five metres, but forecasts suggest conditions there should gradually improve as the day goes on.

Rain spreads across the country as temperatures drop again

Alongside the wind and sea conditions, rain is also expected to affect large parts of Spain. The north and the Balearic Islands will see cloudy skies and periods of rain, with some heavier showers possible early in the day in the south east, particularly in parts of Murcia, Albacete and southern Valencia.

As the day progresses, showers may also develop in the Cantabrian coast and northern Galicia, while other parts of the country will see a mix of sunshine and cloud, with isolated showers likely in mountainous areas and parts of the south east.

At the same time, temperatures are heading down again. AEMET forecasts a drop in daytime highs across much of the south, the Atlantic side, the Alborán area, the Balearics and the Pyrenees, as well as in north eastern Catalonia.

Night time temperatures are also expected to fall, particularly across the southern half of the peninsula, the northern plateau and parts of Catalonia.

After a period of milder conditions, the change will be noticeable, especially in areas exposed to wind and rain.

A turbulent start to the week across Spain

Overall, Monday is shaping up to be a difficult day weather wise across much of the country. While not every region is facing severe conditions, the combination of strong winds, rough seas and falling temperatures is enough to put large areas on alert.

For those in coastal regions, particularly in the Mediterranean, caution is advised due to the state of the sea. Inland, the wind and colder temperatures will be the main factors to watch.

According to AEMET, conditions may begin to ease in some areas later in the day, but for now, the message is clear. Spain is starting the week under a proper spell of unsettled weather.