Spain on High Alert over new DANA.
Credit: Shutterstock, APHITHANA
A savage Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos (DANA) is barrelling towards southern Spain, with meteorologists warning of torrential rain, fierce winds, and even SNOW in some parts of Andalucía.
The country’s state weather agency, AEMET, has sounded the alarm, urging residents to prepare for a potentially disastrous start to February.
AEMET Spain’s weather service issues high risk warning for torrential rain
The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has warned that the Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce Valley will remain under high-risk warnings for now. While Malaga battles the brunt of the storm, neighbouring Cádiz and Granada are also on yellow alert, bracing for heavy rain.
A massive Siberian anticyclone, combined with a stubborn Azores high-pressure system, has created the perfect storm – literally. These weather systems are trapping cold air, forcing pockets of frigid, unstable air to break free and wreak havoc across the Iberian Peninsula.
According to meteorologists, one of these wayward weather bombs is already hammering the Mediterranean and the Balearic Islands. But the real trouble is yet to come. A second, smaller storm system is forming over the northwest of Spain and is expected to charge down towards the Gulf of Cádiz, triggering heavy rain and wild weather across Andalucía and the surrounding regions.
Which areas of Spain will be hit the heaviest according to AEMET?
Weather experts say it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly where the heaviest rain will fall, but certain regions are in the crosshairs.
- Asturias & Cantabria – Expect a drenching, with substantial rainfall over the coming days.
- Southern Andalucía, Ceuta & Melilla – These areas are likely to bear the brunt of the downpours, with the potential for localised flooding.
- Central Spain – Snow could make an appearance, with the Sistema Central mountain range and high-altitude areas seeing flurries below 1,200 metres.
The DANA is expected to first lash northwest Spain, before moving southeast across the Atlantic-facing regions. It will bring severe weather to parts of Andalucía, with rain pushing towards Granada. However, not all of Andalucía will see a full soaking – Jaén and Almería may escape the worst, with only scattered showers expected.
For those in Sierra Nevada, snow is on the cards, but don’t expect deep drifts – early forecasts suggest any accumulations will be minimal.
Costa del Chaos: Homes and roads underwater across Malaga province
Emergency services have already responded to 75 incidents across Malaga province, with Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, and Mijas among the hardest hit. Reports of flooded homes, submerged garages, and roads turned into rivers are piling in, forcing officials to urge residents to stay put unless absolutely necessary.
Torremolinos Town Hall took the dramatic step of urging parents not to send their children to school today due to the treacherous conditions. The council is advising locals to avoid travel altogether and exercise extreme caution, particularly in El Pinillo, one of the worst-affected areas.
Meanwhile, Malaga City Council has partially activated its Municipal Emergency Plan to tackle the relentless rainfall. The province’s emergency services have been working flat out to manage the crisis as the downpour shows no signs of easing.
AEMET forecasts unstable weather conditions for Andalucia
Forecasters are warning Andalucía will be at the epicentre of the chaos. Over the coming days, unstable conditions will sweep across the region, bringing relentless downpours and plummeting temperatures.
Experts have pinpointed the most critical hours – a period of intense instability where flash floods and disruptions could hit hardest. As winter loosens its grip elsewhere in Europe, Spain is about to take a direct hit.
Meteorologists are urging residents to keep a close eye on weather updates, with conditions shifting rapidly. While Spain is no stranger to extreme weather, this latest DANA is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable yet.
Residents living in the affected areas are being urged to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary journeys, and follow emergency updates as officials monitor the worsening situation.
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