Trains cancelled as Red Alert for storms issued in Catalonia

Spain’s weather has finally turned the page from summer to autumn, with torrential rain, thunderstorms and a red alert hitting parts of the country.

After weeks of exceptional heat, the change is proving dramatic. The focus has shifted eastwards today, with northern Tarragona facing the most serious conditions and high-speed train services disrupted.

Red alert puts Tarragona on flood watch

AEMET has issued a red warning for the northern coast and pre-coastal areas of Tarragona until 3pm on Tuesday, September 29. Up to 180 litres of rain per square metre could fall in three to six hours, creating a serious risk of flash flooding and rapidly rising rivers and streams.

The heaviest rain is expected around the middle of the day, with thunderstorms potentially bringing hail, wind gusts of up to 90km/h and even waterspouts or tornadoes close to the coast. ES-Alerts have been issued by phone.

Renfe has suspended several AVE and Media Distancia services between Barcelona and Madrid as a precaution, while restrictions are also affecting other rail services.

Anyone heading towards Catalonia this morning should prepare for delays and disruptions. And check the flight status of planes to Reus as well.

⚠️🔴 AVISO ROJO | Lluvias torrenciales en prelitoral y litoral norte de Tarragona.

⛈️ 180 l/m² en 3-6 horas. Probables inundaciones y crecidas de cauces.

➡️ En vigor entre las 6:00 y 14:59 del martes 29.

¡Peligro extraordinario! Sigue recomendaciones de Protección Civil.

1/4 pic.twitter.com/S9VhosKvjJ

— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) September 28, 2026

Cuenca sees a quieter Tuesday

Cuenca, in the west of Spain, also had unsettled weather overnight, but conditions there are now considerably calmer. The Serrania de Cuenca was placed under a yellow warning on Monday evening for rain and thunderstorms, with the north of the region put on red alert for ‘exceptional weather’, with up to 40 litres per square metre possible over 12 hours.

Today, Cuenca is expected to see brighter conditions, although showers remain possible. Further rain and storms are expected later this week.

Spain moves into autumn weather

Today’s weather marks a clear change from the summer-like conditions that dominated much of September. Unsettled conditions will continue across parts of eastern and northern Spain, with showers and thunderstorms appearing intermittently rather than one single spell of bad weather.

For residents and visitors, the message is simple: the sandals-and-sunshine weather is no longer guaranteed.

Autumn, it seems, has arrived, bringing sudden downpours, thunderstorms and local flooding that can become a familiar feature of Spanish weather at this time of year.

VAGUADA ATLÀNTICA ALERTA REGIONS ESPANYOLES
En Desenvolupament: Agència Estatal de Meteorologia AEMET activa avisos meteorològics a Catalunya, Comunitat Valenciana, Regió de Múrcia, Andalusia, Aragó i Castella i Lleó, Espanya.
Pas de Vaguada Atlántica està generant pluges… pic.twitter.com/ORnMTPlvcp

— jorge budrovich (@rgcqcl) September 29, 2026