Spain is dealing with severe weather disruptions as Storm Francis unleashes intense rainfall in the south and snowfall at unusually low altitudes in the north and northeast. Positioned between the Strait of Gibraltar and the western Alboran Sea, the storm has prompted widespread alerts from the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET). Up to nine autonomous communities, including Andalucia, Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Catalonia, Comunidad de Madrid, Comunidad Valenciana, Galicia, and La Rioja, are on alert for snow, rain, or wind, with Ceuta also affected. Accumulations are expected to exceed 80 litres per square metre in southern regions, raising fears of flash flooding and travel chaos.
Red alert triggers emergency measures in Malaga
In Malaga province, AEMET has escalated warnings to red level for torrential rains in the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce areas, predicting up to 120 litres per square metre in 12 hours with a 40 to 70 per cent probability. What the civil protection dubbed an “extraordinary risk” alert, lasting until nearly midnight, prompted an ES-Alert message at 2.42pm, urging residents to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and steer clear of flood-prone zones. The Junta de Andalucia has activated emergency protocols under its Flood Risk Plan, advising against crossing flooded areas or nearing rivers. Overnight incidents included around 20 reports of flooding in homes, garages, and streets, primarily in Algeciras (Cadiz), with additional issues in Huelva and Malaga. Special monitoring is in place for rivers like Hozgarganta in Jimena de la Frontera and Guadalhorce in Cartama, though levels in the former are dropping slowly as the storm moves east.
Heavy snowfall threatens Northern and Central regions
Major snow accumulations are forecast in the Cantabrian Mountains, eastern Sistema Central, and parts of the northern plateau, with snow levels dropping below 400 to 500 metres altitude in some areas and around 800 metres in the Sistema Central. The Iberian and Huesca Pyrenees could see snow under 1,000 metres, shifting southward by evening. In Madrid, late-day snowfall is possible at any altitude in the Sierra, with up to 5 centimetres expected, activating level 0 of the Winter Inclement Weather Plan. Catalonia has lowered low-altitude snow probabilities from afternoon through Monday night but maintains alerts amid Kings’ Day parades, expecting localised heavy precipitation. All across Spain, preparations for Monday evening’s King’s parades are currently pending weather conditions as the current yellow and orange alert situations are not predicted to end until Tuesday.
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Widespread impacts on travel and temperatures
The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) recommends early returns from weekend trips to avoid afternoon deterioration. In Cadiz, heavy rains have led to traffic cuts on roads like CA-9208 (El Cobre) and CA-9209 (Algeciras-Los Barrios) due to overflowing streams and rivers, with interventions on CA-3400 in Rota and CA-8201 in Jimena-Puerto Galis. Temperatures are plummeting across the Peninsula and Balearic Islands, with notable drops in the northern plateau and Iberian regions, plus light frosts in the north and southeastern mountains. Combined with an Arctic air mass, Storm Francis is intensifying rains in Cadiz, Malaga, and Alicante (orange alerts) and snow in Aragon, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Madrid, and La Rioja (yellow alerts), complicating road travel in populated areas.
What the Red Alert Message reads as in English:
Civil Protection Alert
The red warning has been activated.
In this situation: exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel. Do not cross flood-prone areas and respect traffic restrictions. Do not carry out activities in riverbeds or nearby areas. If you are in a flood-prone area, seek higher ground or go to an upper floor.
Check the 112 recommendations for extraordinary risk due to rain at: https://lajunta.es/5rolh
In case of emergency, call 112. National Alert Network – EMA Emergencies 112
Civil Protection Alert
National Alert Network – EMA – Emergencies 112 This is a real ES-Alert message warning of extreme risk from heavy rainfall, urging people to stay safe and follow safety guidelines. The link provides additional self-protection tips from Andalusia’s emergency services. If you’re in the affected area, prioritize safety and monitor official updates.