The rain once again marks Sunday in a large part of Spain. The State Meteorological Agency maintains active warnings for showers, storms, and possible hail in eight autonomous communities, on a day dominated by instability and the possibility of locally heavy rainfall.
Yellow alerts affect the Balearic Islands, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Region of Murcia, Navarra, Basque Country, La Rioja and Comunitat Valenciana. The episode will not be uniform throughout the territory, but it will be broad enough to condition a good part of the day, especially in the northern areas, the eastern peninsular and the Mediterranean environment.
The forecast points to cloudy or overcast skies in large areas of the country, although with a tendency for clear spells to open up in the south and west of the peninsula as the day progresses. Precipitation may begin from the early hours in the northern and eastern thirds of the Peninsula, as well as in parts of the center, and will also reach the Balearic Islands during the morning.
Where it will rain the hardest this Sunday
During the first half of the day, the most intense showers may be concentrated in the Balearic Islands, the southeastern coasts, and the northeast of Castilla-La Mancha. In these areas, the rain may be accompanied by thunderstorms and, occasionally, by hail.
From the central hours, the risk will extend to other areas. AEMET forecasts locally strong storms in the Cantabrian area, the upper Ebro, La Rioja, Aragon, eastern Castilla-La Mancha, the Region of Murcia, and the interior of the Comunitat Valenciana.
The key to the episode will be the specific intensity of the showers. It is not so much about persistent rains across the country as about storms capable of discharging with force in a short time. That combination can generate specific problems on roads, urban areas, mountain areas, and outdoor spaces.
Hail and strong storms in several areas
Hail will be one of the risk factors of the day. The storms may be accompanied by strong gusts of wind and localized hail, especially in areas where the storm cores are more active.
The AEMET warns that storms could be strong in parts of the north and east of the peninsula, as well as in the Balearic Islands. In these episodes, the situation can change rapidly: an area without rain can go from registering intense downpours in a few minutes, with reduced visibility and water accumulation on the road.
The possibility of a snowflake falling on high ground in the far north of the peninsula is also contemplated, a detail associated with the entry of cold air at altitude and the unstable nature of the day.
Eight communities on yellow alert
The yellow alert will be active in eight communities: Balearic Islands, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, Navarra, Basque Country, La Rioja, and Comunitat Valenciana. This level does not imply an extreme situation, but it does indicate the possibility of adverse weather phenomena that can affect daily activities, travel, and outdoor plans.
In these cases, the main recommendation is to follow the updated forecast, avoid unnecessary travel during the most intense storms, and exercise extreme caution on secondary roads or areas where water can accumulate quickly.
The presence of hail adds an additional risk for circulation. Although it may fall in a localized manner, an intense storm is enough to complicate driving, damage vehicles, or affect crops in certain areas.
Canary Islands remain on the sidelines of the storm
Canary Islands will be left out of the most adverse episode. In the archipelago, a more stable day is expected, with mostly cloudy skies in the south and cloudy in the north, although with a tendency to clear up during the day.
In the rest of the country, the day will be more changeable. Instability will especially affect the Peninsula and Balearic Islands, although with important differences between regions. While some areas may register heavy showers and storms, others will have a more variable day, with cloudiness, clear spells, and weak or scattered precipitation.
Temperatures with contrasts and light wind
On Sunday, temperature contrasts will also be present. Maximums will drop in the Cantabrian region and Galicia, while ascents will prevail in the eastern interior, the north-central peninsula, and the west of Alborán. Minimums will descend on the Atlantic and Cantabrian slopes, with few changes elsewhere.
The wind will blow from the east, turning to the south in the Balearic Islands, the eastern facade, and the northeastern third of the peninsula. In general, it will be light, although in the Balearic Islands and Ampurdán it may reach moderate intensity.
In the rest of the Peninsula, light westerly winds will predominate, tending to gain strength during the afternoon, especially on the coasts of Andalusia. In the Canary Islands, the trade winds will remain, light to moderate.
A Sunday watching the AEMET radar
The day is marked by a clear idea: Sunday of rain, storms, and meteorological vigilance. The AEMET maintains the warnings for the possibility of locally strong showers and hail in several areas of the country, with special attention from the central hours.
Those who plan to travel, play sports outdoors, or attend events during the day should consult the updated forecast before leaving. Spring storms can be erratic, but also very intense when they strike.