Spain and the Balearic Islands are Bracing for a Weekend of Severe Weather
A Status Orange storm warning has been issued for large swathes of Spain, with thunderstorms predicted in the northern regions, including Barcelona and Madrid. Popular hotspots across Catalonia, Andalusia, Castile and Valencia have been hit with storm alerts throughout Thursday afternoon and Friday, with forecasters warning of the possibility of snow in higher areas.
According to AEMET, the state weather agency, there is a possibility that the conditions will be “accompanied by hail”, with poor weather set to continue throughout the weekend. The agency warned that the storms will be strong in areas of Galicia and the centre and east of the Peninsula, and may be accompanied by hail. In parts of the interior of the Valencian Community, they could be very strong, and the alert is orange (significant danger).
The poor weather is being caused by a low-pressure system moving in from the Atlantic, as well as a cold air mass that is making its way across the Iberian Peninsula. Despite the balmy temperatures usually expected this time of year in Majorca and Menorca, holidaymakers can only expect highs of 20 degrees, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and cloudy conditions running until next Wednesday.
The Independent reports that beach days in Alcudia or cocktails in Palma may require the extra assistance of an umbrella, while the Canary Islands have also been unable to escape the onslaught of bad weather to hit the Mediterranean. The island of Tenerife is set to see heavy rainfall over Friday night and through until the weekend, with highs of 22 degrees.
In stark contrast, the UK is set to enjoy “classic” spring weather over the coming days, with temperatures of up to 21 degrees in London and highs of 20 degrees in the Scottish Highlands. Conditions from Thursday through to Saturday are expected to be broadly similar, with dry weather and sunny spells forecast across the country, according to the Met Office.
AEMET’s forecast is echoed by the UK’s Met Office, which reported that the UK will see temperatures of up to 26C and patches of frost overnight. The Met Office also confirmed that conditions from Thursday through to Saturday are expected to be broadly similar, with dry weather and sunny spells forecast across the country.
As reported by The Independent, a power outage hit several areas of the Spanish island of La Palma in the Canary archipelago on Thursday, the local council said in a post on the social media platform X. Early reports suggested that a third of La Palma had been left without electricity, impacting around 30,000 people. The council urged everyone to remain calm and avoid overwhelming emergency services. La Radio Canaria reports that power has since been fully restored. The island was not affected by the massive blackout that hit most of Spain and Portugal on April 28.
The severe weather warning is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the weather, and travellers to Spain and the Balearic Islands are advised to check the latest forecast before heading out. As AEMET noted, the storms will be strong in areas of Galicia and the centre and east of the Peninsula, and may be accompanied by hail.
The Independent understands that the bad weather may cause disruption to holidaymakers and residents alike, and it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest forecast and warnings.
Source: The Independent – https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spain-weather-warnings-uk-met-office-majorca-snow-rain-b2747734.html
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