Aemet has issued a yellow weather alert for northern Castellón. Credit: Potashev Aleksandr / Shutterstock.com
Heavy rain is set to return to the Valencian Community during the first week of November, with showers forecast to move from inland areas towards the coast as a cold front crosses the Peninsula. According to Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), rain will first arrive in western and central regions before reaching the Mediterranean. The most widespread precipitation is expected on Thursday November 6.
Aemet has issued a yellow weather alert for northern Castellón, where thunderstorms with hail and rainfall rates of up to 20 mm per hour are forecast from midnight until 6pm. The alert also warns of electrical storms and strong gusts of wind.
Every rainfall brings back memories of the DANA in Valencia
This change in weather comes almost exactly one year after the devastating DANA, which — according to official figures — claimed 229 lives. Since then, emergency services and local authorities have adopted a much stricter and more proactive response to weather warnings, urging residents to stay alert and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
The extreme weather event caught many communities off guard, with torrential downpours causing flash floods, road collapses and widespread power cuts. Entire neighbourhoods were submerged within minutes as rivers and ravines overflowed.
Emergency services worked around the clock to rescue drivers trapped in vehicles and residents stranded in their homes, in what became one of the most tragic weather-related disasters in recent years.
Cold front brings widespread rain and electrical storms
Since then, authorities have radically changed how they manage severe weather alerts. Local councils and emergency services now adopt a much more proactive and cautious approach, issuing early warnings, closing vulnerable roads in advance and communicating constantly with the public through digital channels.
As a result, residents are now more aware of the risks associated with sudden heavy rainfall and are more likely to follow official instructions. The message from authorities is clear: yellow doesn’t mean harmless — it means be prepared.
On Thursday November 6, the cold front will reach the Mediterranean, bringing rain especially to Navarra, Aragón, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, where showers may be heavy, persistent and accompanied by hail and thunderstorms. Rainfall will also spread across the Valencian Community, with scattered showers likely in eastern mountain areas. The yellow alert remains active in northern Castellón.
Throughout Thursday, skies will be very cloudy, clearing gradually in the afternoon. Night-time temperatures will rise slightly along the coast and drop inland, while daytime temperatures will fall. Winds will initially be light from the south on the coast, shifting to a moderate westerly, with strong north-westerly gusts possible in northern Castellón.
Looking ahead in the Costa Blanca
Friday, November 7 will begin with light cloud cover, increasing through the day, with the possibility of light rain late at night. Temperatures will remain stable with light westerly winds, occasionally moderate along the coast.
Saturday, November 8 will bring cloudy skies and likely light rain, particularly in the northern areas, clearing later. Winds will move from light westerly to moderate north-westerly by midday.
Sunday, November 9 will see intervals of cloud. Minimum temperatures will fall, while maximums will rise slightly on the coast, with winds easing to variable by the end of the day.
Local authorities are urging residents and visitors to stay informed, avoid driving through flooded areas and keep clear of ravines or riverbeds during periods of intense rainfall.
Safety advice for expats and residents during yellow weather alerts
Authorities remind residents and visitors to follow basic safety guidance:
Avoid driving through flooded roads or ravines, even if the water level appears low.
Keep away from riverbeds, dry gullies and coastal rock areas where sudden rises in water levels can occur.
Secure outdoor furniture, awnings and loose objects on terraces or balconies.
Do not stand under trees or metallic structures during thunderstorms.
Monitor official updates from Aemet and local emergency services.