Storms threaten flight chaos on Spain’s southern and eastern Costas today

Those heading home or just arriving for a late-summer break could face a right old mess at the airports today as thunderstorms sweep across the Costa Blanca, Murcia, Almeria and Malaga province.

Malaga Airport has already taken a battering. A sudden early-morning storm dumped heavy rain and more than 150 lightning strikes on the Costa del Sol, delaying nearly 30 flights between 6am and 9am, including services to Paris, Amsterdam, Oslo, Berlin and Melilla. One Lisbon-bound flight was cancelled outright. Hailstones even bounced off the tarmac as startled holidaymakers watched the weather drama take place.

¿Preparados para la segunda tanda? 😏 pic.twitter.com/1uBJVnY8Ds

— Sistema Climático MLG (@SistClimatico) August 15, 2026

Wet and stormy weekend

The same unsettled weather, driven by a trough of low pressure turning into what the Spanish call a DANA, is expected to bring more of the same this afternoon and evening. AEMET has yellow alerts in place for strong thunderstorms, heavy downpours (up to 25 litres per square metre in an hour in places), hail and gusty winds across large parts of the region.

On the Costa Blanca, Alicante-Elche Airport is under the same warning umbrella covering Alicante and Valencia provinces. Inland areas and some coastal spots could see intense cells develop from around 2pm. Murcia’s airport is also in the firing line, with yellow alerts active from 2pm to 10pm for the Altiplano, northwest, Vega del Segura, Guadalentin Valley, Lorca and Aguilas. Almeria Airport faces similar risks under the Andalucian yellow warnings that stretch from Almeria to Granada, Jaen and Malaga.

¿Estoy grabando una tormenta en Málaga a las 4 de la madrugada?
Estoy grabando una tormenta en Málaga a las 4 de la madrugada. pic.twitter.com/9aCCR7736z

— Sergio (@sergioac2) August 15, 2026

These summer storms are the classic Spanish variety, short, sharp and localised, but when they hit near a busy airport they can ground planes for hours. Runways get slick, lightning grounds ground crews, and wind shear makes approaches tricky. With Spain’s August 15 bank holiday weekend already packing the skies with extra traffic, even a couple of hours’ disruption can cascade into missed connections and delayed returns.

Espectacular 🩵 Málaga at 7.12 A.M#Malaga #Tormenta pic.twitter.com/oGcI7Y6XXv

— Samanta ✈ (@samantargbs) August 15, 2026

Delays and reroutes could affect other flights

Knock-on effects are the real headache for many. Many of you fly into these airports from the UK on easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 or British Airways. A late arrival into Alicante or Murcia can mean you miss your transfer coach or hire car slot. Those heading home face the prospect of sitting on the tarmac or in the terminal while crews wait for the storm to clear. Connecting flights through Madrid or Barcelona, where they are already under pressure from industrial action and other weather elsewhere, which could add further delays.

Airlines usually rebook passengers free of charge when weather is the cause, but don’t bank on smooth sailing. Check your flight status regularly via the airline app or Aena’s website, allow extra time at the airport, and keep an eye on local radar. If you’re driving to the airport, watch for flash flooding on roads near riverbeds, as these storms can dump a month’s rain in minutes.

The good news is the worst is expected to ease overnight and into Sunday, with temperatures still hovering in the mid-30s. For now, though, keep those umbrellas handy and your travel apps open. Better safe than stuck.