Coastal areas to be battered by Storm Francis.
Credit: Phil Silverman – Shutterstock
Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued yellow weather warnings for heavy rainfall on Saturday, January 3, across parts of Malaga, Cadiz, and Huelva as storm Francis approaches southern Andalusia.
In Malaga province, the yellow alert covers the Ronda, Costa del Sol, and Guadalhorce regions. It will be active from 6pm until midnight, with forecasters predicting up to 15 litres per square metre in the first hour and accumulated totals reaching 60 litres per square meter over 12 hours. Light drizzle is expected in the morning between 9am and 12pm, but rainfall is set to intensify from around 7pm, potentially reaching 10 litres per square meter by 8pm.
Western Andalucia bracing for worst of Storm Francis
Further west, Huelva faces a longer period under warning, from 9am until midnight. The affected areas include the Aracena, Andevalo, Condado, and coastal districts. Rainfall accumulations could hit 40 litres per square metre within the first 12 hours. Additionally, a separate yellow wind alert has been activated along the Huelva coast, with gusts likely to peak in the western zone, though exact maximum speeds were not specified in the latest bulletin.
In Cadiz province, the yellow rain warning runs from 3pm until the end of the day, affecting both the coastal strip and the Strait of Gibraltar area. Up to 15 litres per square meter are possible in the first hour, with totals potentially reaching 40 litres per square metre over 12 hours.
Prepare for localised flooding and traffic disruption
Aemet describes the yellow level as indicating potential risk, advising residents to stay informed and take precautions, especially in flood-prone areas. While no higher-level alerts are currently in place, the combination of intense hourly rates and significant 12-hour accumulations could lead to localised flooding, disrupted traffic, and minor infrastructure issues.
Authorities recommend avoiding unnecessary travel during the evening peak of rainfall and securing outdoor objects in windy coastal zones. Updates will continue throughout the day as storm Francis tracks closer to the Andalucian coast.