Spain’s eastern and southern territories prepare for potential torrential rainfall as the meteorological agency issues an orange alert while the nation grapples with recovery from severe floods that occurred in late October. This latest weather event, a second "Dana" system in a matter of weeks, is expected to bring heavy storms and plummeting temperatures by Thursday.
Spain on High Alert as Second Dana Weather System Approaches, Bringing Torrential Rain
Spain on High Alert as Second Dana Weather System Approaches, Bringing Torrential Rain
A new weather system threatens more historic floods in Spain, where recovery from previous devastation remains ongoing.
Spain is once again on alert, with a new "Dana" weather system poised to impact the nation’s eastern and southern coastal areas. The Spanish meteorological agency, Aemet, has issued an orange alert across several regions, including Valencia, Catalonia, Andalusia, and the Balearic Islands, due to the potential for “very strong to torrential” rains.
This comes just two weeks after the first Dana led to devastating flash floods that resulted in 222 confirmed deaths and left 23 people missing. Authorities have since prepared precautionary measures, including suspending school and sports activities and deploying military vehicles equipped with loudspeakers to alert residents of the impending storms.
Despite the expected severity of the weather, experts believe that this incoming Dana system will be less catastrophic than its predecessor. Towns in Valencia are particularly proactive, with sandbags being strategically placed for protection against flooding. The current system forms through a low-pressure area becoming detached from the main jet stream flow, which causes prolonged rainfall and increases storm intensity due to the interaction of cold and warm air masses.
Heavy rainfall has already begun impacting parts of Spain, including Almería province, where flooding led to the closure of part of the A7 motorway. Emergency services successfully rescued three individuals stranded by rising waters.
Citizens in affected regions are urged to avoid ravines and waterways that may seem dry, as these areas can suddenly flood. The national traffic office recommends checking road conditions before traveling in these areas.
As recovery efforts continue, King Felipe VI is scheduled to visit Valencia to support military operations aimed at searching for missing individuals and assisting with cleanup efforts. Government officials, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, have faced public scrutiny regarding perceived delays in disaster response.
Dana systems frequently occur in Spain, averaging 10 to 20 episodes annually. This second occurrence may yield extreme rainfall in particularly affected areas, with some forecasts predicting up to 180mm of rainfall this week. Meanwhile, the first significant snowfall of the season is anticipated in the Cantabrian mountains and other mountainous regions as colder air sweeps across the Peninsula.
