DANA System Returns, Spain Bids Farewell to Heatwave
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasts a significant shift in the weather this week. A severe weather system known as “DANA” (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos, or a cut-off low at high altitudes) will once again affect the Iberian Peninsula, putting an end to the recent sweltering heat. The system has previously caused significant rainfall and damage in areas such as León, Castilla y León, and Castellón.
As the DANA system approaches, widespread severe convective weather, including strong thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail, and powerful wind gusts, is expected mid-week.
Weather to Worsen Significantly from Wednesday
Tuesday’s weather will be relatively stable, with only scattered showers near the Pyrenees (Pirineos) and the Iberian System (Sistema Ibérico). However, high temperatures will persist, and AEMET has issued an orange heat warning for areas including Cáceres, Toledo, Jaén, Cuenca, Huesca, Lleida, and Tarragona. Temperatures are expected to approach 40°C in parts of the Guadalquivir Valley (Valle del Guadalquivir) and southern Galicia.
Starting Wednesday, the weather will deteriorate sharply as the DANA system combines with an Atlantic trough. Strong thunderstorms and showers may occur in the following regions:
- Inland Galicia
- Cantabrian (Cantábrico) coastal areas
- Inland eastern Andalusia (Andalucía)
- Murcia
- Castilla-La Mancha
- Southern and eastern Tarragona
Thunderstorms in some areas may be accompanied by large hail and strong winds. Additionally, due to dust from the Sahara entering the atmosphere, some rainfall may result in “mud rain.”
Thursday to Be the Peak of Unstable Weather
Thursday is expected to be the day most severely affected by this bout of unstable weather, as the DANA system moves further across the peninsula. Northern Spain will be particularly affected, with heavy rainfall possible in Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and northern Castilla y León.
Meanwhile, thunderstorms and showers may also occur in central, southern, and eastern parts of the peninsula, with rainfall potentially reaching the Balearic Islands (Islas Baleares).
Significant Temperature Drop, Rain to Continue in the North Over the Weekend
The severe weather will be accompanied by a significant drop in temperatures. Starting Wednesday, temperatures will begin to fall in most regions, although Murcia may still hover around 38°C. After Thursday, the cooling will become more widespread, and Spain will rapidly shift from sweltering heat to a cooler, wetter weather pattern. Maximum temperatures in some areas could even be 5 to 10 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average.
By Friday, unstable weather is expected to persist in the northern third of the country. Areas such as Cantabria, the Basque Country (País Vasco), the Pyrenees (Pirineos), the Iberian System (Sistema Ibérico), and parts of Catalonia (Cataluña) should remain alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms. The unstable conditions may continue in some regions through the weekend.
