After a period of unusually cold weather, Spain is preparing to face a new round of extreme weather challenges. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) announced on Wednesday that Storm Goretti is expected to affect the Iberian Peninsula between Thursday and Friday. Characterized by explosive cyclogenesis, it will bring complex weather conditions to many areas.
Alerts Across Multiple Provinces, Focusing on Wind and Waves
The impact of this weather event will be widespread, with Aemet issuing various alerts for strong winds, high waves, low temperatures, and dense fog in 18 provinces nationwide. The storm’s main impact is concentrated in the northern coastal areas, where waves are expected to exceed 6 meters. The alert for high waves in the province of La Coruña has been raised to orange, while coastal provinces such as Asturias, Cantabria, Guipúzcoa, and Valencia are under a yellow alert.
Strong Winds and Heavy Rain to Follow
Starting Thursday, the strong winds from Goretti will first affect northern Spain. Wind gusts in some areas like Galicia, Asturias, and Burgos may exceed 80 km/h. As the storm front advances, Galicia and Asturias will be the first to experience heavy rainfall, which will later spread overnight to Cantabria, the Basque Country (País Vasco), and Navarra.
Weather Worsens on Friday with Mountain Snowfall
By Friday, the Atlantic front is expected to cause widespread precipitation across the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands (Islas Baleares), with persistent heavy rain possible in Cantabria and the western Pyrenees. A significant change will be a sharp drop in the snow line in the northern peninsula, from around 1,500 meters to 500 meters, meaning northern mountainous areas could see significant snowfall. Meanwhile, although temperatures will drop in the north, they will rise in the central and southern regions, ending several days of severe cold.
Low Temperature and Fog Alerts Also in Effect
In addition to the wind and rain from the storm, some areas still need to contend with other weather conditions. Girona and Lleida have issued yellow alerts for low temperatures, with minimums potentially dropping to -6°C in some valleys. Additionally, provinces like Palencia and Valladolid have issued fog alerts, where visibility could drop to around 200 meters.
