AEMET warns of a weekend with very strong storms and possible hail in large areas of the north and east
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued a warning about a weekend marked by heavy rain, storms, and possible hail across large areas of northern and eastern Spain. The situation is attributed to a trough and a storm system west of the Iberian Peninsula, which could lead to several days of instability, potentially extending into late August. On Saturday, the trough is expected to deepen and reach the peninsula and Balearic Islands along with a front, leading to cloudy skies and precipitation, especially in the north and northeast, where intense rainfall and thunderstorms are anticipated. The forecast suggests the weather pattern might persist until Monday, with high uncertainty regarding intensity and affected zones. The disturbance is expected to bring showers from Saturday to Monday, with stronger downpours and potential hail in regions such as Navarre, Huesca, the Pyrenees, the Ebro Valley, and the Iberian System. Temperatures are predicted to rise significantly across much of the country, particularly in Galicia and the Cantabrian region, while the Levant, Balearics, Catalonia, and Canary Islands may experience cooler conditions.
The weather service in Asturias reported on August 26, 2026, that the region was experiencing a period of unsettled conditions following a series of intense storms and thunderstorms that had affected large parts of northern and eastern Spain over the previous days. The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) had issued warnings about heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and potential hail in several areas, particularly in the north and east of the country. These weather patterns were linked to a trough and a depression forming west of the Iberian Peninsula, which had led to prolonged instability throughout late August. The storm system began to take shape on Saturday, with the trough deepening and moving toward the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, accompanied by an associated front. This movement brought cloudy skies and precipitation, especially in the north and northeast regions, where the rain fell heavily and was often accompanied by thunderstorms. According to AEMET, this situation could extend into Monday, August 24, though there remained uncertainty regarding the intensity and specific areas most affected. The agency also noted that similar weather conditions might return during the last week of August, although these forecasts were still considered preliminary. From Saturday through Monday, heavy showers were expected to persist along the coasts of Tarragona and Castellón, as well as on the island of Ibiza. As the day progressed, thunderstorms were likely to develop in Navarre, Huesca, the Pyrenees, the Ebro Valley, and the Iberian System, with the possibility of hail in these areas. By the end of the day, these rains could spread further into other parts of the Valencia Community and Murcia. In the Canary Islands, partly cloudy skies were forecasted for the northern slopes, with light rain possible, while the southern part of the islands would remain largely clear. On Sunday, an associated front with the depression continued to maintain very cloudy skies in Galicia, bringing moderate precipitation along its Atlantic coast. Light showers were expected to continue through the early morning hours in Tarragona, the Valencia Community, and Murcia. Later in the afternoon, the likelihood of severe thunderstorms increased significantly in the Iberian System, the Ebro Valley, the eastern part of Castilla-La Mancha, Navarre, the Basque Country, and the Pyrenees. Strong wind gusts and hail were also possible in these areas. Temperature trends varied across different regions. Initially, AEMET had predicted a drop in maximum temperatures in the northwest, the Mediterranean arc, and the Balearic Islands, with minimal changes in minimum temperatures at the start of the episode. However, the daily forecast for Saturday indicated rising maximum temperatures across much of the country, with increases exceeding six degrees in Galicia and the Cantabrian area. Meanwhile, temperatures were expected to fall in the Levante, Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and the Canary Islands. By Sunday, temperature rises were anticipated in the Cantabrian region, the northern Meseta, the northeastern part of the country, and the Balearic Islands. Increases of more than six degrees were expected in the upper Ebro Valley and the eastern Cantabrian region, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius in Bizkaia and the Guadalquivir Valley.
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