Spain faces this Sunday a radical change in weather after several days of anomalous heat. AEMET explains that the passage of a cold front through the eastern half of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, coupled with the formation of a low-pressure system in the Mediterranean, is leaving a sharp and quite generalized drop in temperatures, in addition to rain in wide areas of the country.
The change is especially noticeable in the east and the peninsular south, where locally strong showers and storms are expected. AEMET itself places the greatest risk in eastern Andalusia, the Region of Murcia, Albacete and Alicante, while in the north snow and temperatures more typical of winter than of mid-April return.
The communities on alert for rain, wind and snow
The State Meteorological Agency maintains active warnings in 13 autonomous communities, in addition to Ceuta and Melilla, due to phenomena of different nature. The warnings for rain and storm affect Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha, while those for wind and coastal phenomena extend to Andalusia, Asturias, Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Catalonia, Galicia, Basque Country, Valencian Community, Ceuta and Melilla. To that are added warnings for snow in Aragon, Castilla y León, Catalonia, Navarre and La Rioja.
In mountain, the snow level drops with force.
The national forecast from AEMET places it around 800-1,100 meters in the northern tip of the peninsula, with significant accumulations at high altitudes, while in the mountains of the center and the east it will move between 1,500 and 1,800 meters.
The biggest blow comes with the drop in temperatures
Beyond the rain, the big news is the thermal slowdown. AEMET had already warned of a significant weather change this weekend, with "winter" conditions and very marked drops after an almost summery Friday in many areas.
The official forecast adds that maximums will drop notably in the Balearic Islands and in a good part of the center and the eastern half of the peninsula, with drops that can be extraordinary in the northeast quadrant.
What to expect in the coming hours
Throughout the day, cloudy skies and showers will continue in much of the north, east, and south, with moderate north and west winds in the Peninsula and Balearic Islands and very strong gusts in exposed areas such as the Strait, the Ebro valley, or the Empordà.
In the Canary Islands, cloudy intervals, precipitation on the northern slopes, and strong trade wind are also expected.