Teide to get soaking. Credit: Ralf Geithe Euro Weekly News
Spain is heading into Halloween weekend with contrasting weather conditions, as much of the mainland enjoys settled skies while the Canary Islands prepare for potentially heavy rain. The country has recently enjoyed a spell of unusually warm weather, but conditions are set to vary considerably between regions.
Meteorologist José Miguel Viñas has warned that three Canary Islands could receive more than 50 litres of rain per square metre over the coming days, with showers and thunderstorms expected to develop as a new weather system approaches.
Three Canary Islands face heavy rain
Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro are the islands to watch, with the developing system potentially bringing substantial rainfall from Saturday, October 31, into the beginning of next week.
The forecast points to increasingly unsettled conditions, with the possibility of locally heavy showers and thunderstorms. A pocket of cold air high in the atmosphere is expected to help trigger the change. Similar weather concerns have recently featured in EWN’s coverage of heavy rain and storms threatening Spain’s Mediterranean coast.
Rainfall of 50mm or more could cause problems in vulnerable locations, particularly where water drains poorly. Residents and holidaymakers should follow local forecasts, especially if planning mountain walks or road journeys. The official weather alerts from the Canary Islands Government provide an additional source of information about declared emergency alerts.
Forecasts can change, however, and the predicted rainfall totals do not mean every part of the three islands will receive the same amount.
Mainland Spain enjoys a warmer Halloween
Conditions across much of mainland Spain are expected to be considerably calmer on Friday, October 30, as high pressure keeps skies largely clear.
Andalucia is set to enjoy some of the warmest temperatures, with Seville forecast to reach 29ºC, while Granada and Huelva could see highs of 27ºC. Madrid is expected to reach around 22ºC.
Rain is more likely along parts of the Mediterranean coast, particularly in Catalonia and the Valencian Community, where isolated showers are possible, making All Saint’s traditions a little wet.
The Balearic Islands face a greater risk of unsettled weather, with showers potentially becoming locally heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms around the middle of Friday.
Strong winds and a warning for travellers
Drivers and residents around the Strait of Gibraltar should also watch for strong easterly winds, with particularly powerful gusts possible during the early hours. Morning mist and fog could affect parts of Galicia and the Cantabrian coast, potentially reducing visibility on the roads.
Although much of the country looks set for a pleasant end to October, conditions will vary considerably between regions.
Residents should check AEMET’s latest weather forecasts and official warnings before travelling or spending time outdoors. Readers can also find the latest Spain weather news and forecasts in Euro Weekly News.
