Jorge Rey predicts storms for Spain’s October bank holiday before African heat

If you have plans for Spain’s October bank holiday, the weather could make a big difference to them. The latest long-range prediction from Jorge Rey points to a very mixed few days, with storms expected in parts of the country before a burst of warmer air arrives, and another significant change is being forecast later in the month.

The dates to watch are October 10, 11 and 12, when millions of people will be travelling for the Puente del Pilar. But Rey’s forecast does not stop there. He is also pointing to October 23 and 24 for another spell of rain and storms across much of northern Spain and parts of the centre.

Storms could arrive for the October holiday

The first signs of the change are expected from October 9, when unsettled weather is forecast to move in from the west before reaching the Mediterranean. Rey predicts stormy conditions in the Levante on October 10 and 11, potentially bringing a very different start to the long weekend for people heading towards Spain’s eastern coast.

Northern Spain is expected to see cooler conditions and weaker rainfall during the same period, while the east could face more active weather. This means the Puente del Pilar could look very different depending on where people are spending it, with some areas dealing with thunderstorms and showers while others see cooler but comparatively quieter conditions, and then the forecast takes another turn.

October 12 could bring a burst of African heat

By Monday, October 12, Rey predicts a mass of African air moving into Spain and pushing temperatures higher. The increase is expected to be particularly noticeable across eastern Spain, potentially bringing much warmer conditions just as the long weekend comes to an end.

Western areas could have a very different experience, with cloud and locally developing storms also expected on the 12th. The three-day holiday could therefore see a striking switch from unsettled conditions to much warmer weather, depending on the region and the day. For anyone planning beach trips, sightseeing or outdoor meals, the difference between the start and end of the holiday could be considerable.

A quieter spell is expected

The unsettled weather is not expected to continue throughout the month. Rey’s forecast points towards a more stable period after the middle of October, with high pressure becoming more influential before the next major change arrives.

That calmer spell could last for several days, giving Spain a brief return to more settled autumn weather. But the second half of the month is not expected to remain quiet, with another significant shift forecast for October 23 and 24.

More rain and storms on October 23 and 24

According to Rey’s prediction, a front moving in from the west could bring rain and storms across much of northern Spain and parts of the centre around October 23 and 24. The north is expected to see the clearest change, with wetter weather spreading across the region and temperatures becoming milder.

It could mark another distinct change after the calmer spell expected earlier in the month. The forecast suggests that parts of northern Spain could remain unsettled as further fronts pass through, particularly around the western Cantabrian coast. Conditions are then expected to improve again around October 27, although the western Cantabrian area could continue seeing occasional changes as Atlantic weather systems move across.

The October dates to watch

For anyone planning trips or outdoor activities, there are several dates worth keeping in mind. October 9 could see the first signs of the change as unsettled weather moves in from the west, followed by stormy conditions in the Levante on October 10 and 11. Then October 12 could bring a sharp rise in temperatures as African air moves into the east, although western Spain could remain cloudy and see local storms.

After a more settled period in the middle of the month, October 23 and 24 are expected to bring another spell of rain and storms, this time affecting much of northern Spain and parts of the centre. The final week could then see conditions improve again, although the north-west may remain more changeable. For now, the two periods likely to attract the most attention are the Puente del Pilar from October 10 to 12 and the later spell around October 23 and 24, when Spain could once again see a sharp change in the weather.