Strong storms imminent in Spain, Aemet highlights the regions expected to be impacted in the upcoming hours
News Article: Spain's Weather Outlook: Heatwave and Wildfires Persist, Storms on the Horizon
Overview
Spain has been grappling with an extreme heatwave since August 12, with cities like Cordoba and Seville among the hottest[2]. This heatwave, part of a broader pattern affecting the country, has contributed to wildfires across several regions[3].
Current Weather Conditions
High temperatures are prevalent, especially in the southern regions, exacerbating wildfire conditions[3]. The heatwave has led to significant wildfire activity. As of August 13, fires have been reported in multiple regions, including Galicia and Castile and León, forcing evacuations and claiming lives[3].
Upcoming Weather Pattern
According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), Wednesday will see a "temperature drop"[1]. However, high temperatures will return in subsequent days after Wednesday. The persistence of a hot and dry air mass is causing "temperature values higher than usual for this time of year".
On Wednesday, the arrival of an Atlantic trough will cause storms to intensify, increasing atmospheric instability. The thunderstorms on Tuesday could be severe and accompanied by hail and very strong gusts in the Iberian System and Pyrenees, potentially affecting other eastern third and northern mountainous areas[4].
Showers and thunderstorms are expected in the northern half and eastern third of the peninsula on Wednesday, potentially being locally strong with hail and very strong gusts in the northern plateau, northeastern peninsula, Iberian System, and Pyrenees.
Thursday will have weak rains in the Cantabrian area and north of Galicia, and probable thunderstorms and showers, potentially locally strong, in the Pyrenean area.
Outlook
The heatwave is expected to continue until the end of the week, especially in the valleys of the Tagus, Guadiana, Guadalquivir, and Ebro. Temperatures will be "significantly high" on Tuesday, August 12, in most of the Peninsula and areas of the Balearic Islands. Some areas have reached over 40 degrees, with some areas even reaching over 42 degrees.
Wednesday is expected to be a key day in this atmospheric transition, with a cold front associated with the trough advancing from west to east across the northern half of the peninsula, increasing instability in the northwest quadrant of the peninsula. The intense heat is also favoring the formation of intense storms.
For precise day-by-day forecasts, consulting a local weather service might be advisable.
Note: The search results do not provide a detailed forecast for specific weather patterns like storms or significant rainfall changes for the entire week. The focus remains on the heatwave and wildfires.
References 1. Aemet 2. El Pais 3. CNN 4. Windy
- Despite the approaching storms, the heatwave in Spain, predominant since August 12, may continue in the valleys of the Tagus, Guadiana, Guadalquivir, and Ebro, with temperatures reaching significantly high levels.
- As the environmental science community emphasizes the impact of extreme weather conditions on natural ecosystems, the transition on Wednesday, with a cold front and accompanying storms, may lead to a shift in the current wildfire-prone fashion of Spain's landscapes.
