While Brits were soaking up the sun this weekend, Spain was being hammered by torrential rain, flash floods, and hailstorms.
From crowded beaches to submerged streets, the contrast in weather between the UK and its favourite holiday hotspot couldn’t be more dramatic.
Warnings Across Half the Country as Weather Turns Dangerous
Nearly half of Spain’s 50 provinces are under weather warnings issued by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), with eight regions on orange alert, the second-highest warning level.
These include popular destinations like Barcelona, Zaragoza, and Tarragona, where both tourists and locals are being told to brace for intense storms, flooding, and hail.
Some areas are already feeling the impact. Shocking images show streets turned into rivers, cars swept away by fierce currents, and entire towns swamped.
Tarazona Takes the Hit With Record Rainfall
The town of Tarazona in Zaragoza saw a staggering 100mm of rain fall in just one hour on Friday, prompting a red alert.
The flooding caused major disruptions to public transport, serious property damage, and has prompted the deployment of Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME) to help with rescue efforts.
So far, more than 30 flood-related incidents have been reported in the Zaragoza area alone—everything from blocked roads to fallen trees. Thankfully, there have been no reported casualties.
Catalonia and Valencia Face the Worst of It
The worst of the rain is expected across Catalonia, Aragon, and the Valencian Community.
Spain’s Catalan weather service Meteocat has issued its highest-level storm warnings, predicting up to 50 litres of rain per square metre in some places.
Residents in these areas have been sent emergency alerts via mobile phones, warning them to stay indoors and steer clear of rivers or flood-prone spots.
Authorities received over 70 weather-related incident reports overnight as storms began to move in.
More Storms Expected Across Spain
And it’s not over yet. Later today, storms are forecast to hit other parts of Spain too, including the Balearic Islands, Cantabrian coast, and central and eastern regions such as Valencia, Alicante, Alava, and La Rioja.
While the north and east are soaked, the southeast of Spain remains sweltering, with places like Murcia, Alicante, and inland Andalusia bracing for temperatures possibly hitting 40°C.
Meanwhile, Britain Is Basking in a Heatwave
Back in the UK, it’s a completely different story. Britain’s heatwave is peaking, with temperatures hitting 34.7°C in Astwood Bank near Worcester on Friday—and Saturday might go even higher.
But the hot weather has brought its own set of problems.
Around six million homes are facing hosepipe bans, and fire chiefs are warning of wildfires and drowning risks as people rush to cool off in pools, lakes, and rivers.
Health Alerts and Travel Disruptions in the UK
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber heat alerts for the Midlands, south, and east of England, warning that the heat could be life-threatening for the elderly and those with health conditions.
Rail passengers have been warned about possible disruptions due to extreme heat, and wildfire risk is rated “severe” across parts of London.
Even with a slight cooldown expected next week, temperatures will remain in the high 20s or low 30s until at least Monday.
What Is Causing Spain’s Sudden Weather Chaos?
Spain’s stormy spell is the result of a DANA event, short for depresión aislada en niveles altos—or isolated high-altitude depression.
This weather phenomenon happens when warm, moist air from the Mediterranean gets sucked high into the atmosphere, leading to sudden, severe weather like thunderstorms, hail, or flash floods.
These storms can come on quickly and drop large volumes of rain in just minutes, causing instant flooding.
A Chilling Reminder of Past Weather Disasters
Many in Spain remember all too well what DANA storms can lead to.
A major one in Valencia in October 2023 led to one of the deadliest weather disasters in Spain’s recent history, with nearly 230 lives lost.
Back then, entire towns were submerged, people were stranded in their homes and basements, and vehicles were carried away in rushing water. Streets became rivers in a matter of minutes.
For Now, Spain Hopes for a Dry Turn Overnight
Thankfully, forecasts suggest the worst of the rain may clear up overnight, at least for some parts of Spain.
But the coastal regions and islands could still be battered by high winds and unstable air, particularly around the Alboran coast and Canary Islands.
Until then, authorities urge everyone in storm-prone areas to stay home, stay safe, and monitor local alerts—while Brits continue to sweat through their record-breaking heatwave up north.
