Spain's Weather to Turn Stormy: Hail and a Sharp Temperature Drop Expected This Weekend

After several days of near-summer temperatures, the weather in Spain is set to change sharply. The national meteorological service AEMET warns of an incoming low-pressure trough — a band of cold air in the middle and upper layers of the troposphere. Thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds are expected on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, the areas most at risk will be Castilla y León, the north and west of Castilla-La Mancha, La Rioja, and Madrid. The south of the Valencian Community, the centre and east of Andalusia, and the mountainous areas of the north may also see precipitation, though with lower probability. Galicia and the Balearic Islands are expected to largely escape the bad weather.

With conditions deteriorating, a yellow weather alert for precipitation has been issued across 19 provinces. In Andalusia, rain warnings are in effect for Almería, Granada, and Málaga. Elsewhere, warnings cover Cantabria, Ávila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid, Zamora, Ciudad Real, Guadalajara, Toledo, Cáceres, Madrid, and La Rioja.

On Saturday, precipitation will affect the Andalusian coast and the south of the Valencian Community. In the afternoon, thunderstorms will develop over the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Pyrenees before spreading to Extremadura, Castilla y León, Andalusia, and Madrid. Sunday is expected to be largely stable, although isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out in mountainous areas.

Temperatures will also drop noticeably. While thermometers climbed above 30°C in some parts of the country last week, Friday and Saturday will see highs of just 22–27°C across most of the territory. The northeast will be the exception, where the temperature drop will be less pronounced.

By Monday, summer heat is expected to return — temperatures in the northeastern and southern parts of the peninsula will once again exceed 30°C.