Authorities in Spain, Portugal and Madeira have issued alerts for "extraordinary danger" as severe weather is forecast to hit large parts of Europe in the coming days. The alerts come in the wake of Storm Bruna, with a second high-impact storm named Charles expected to follow.
Red alerts for rain in Spain
In mainland Spain, rare red alerts are in force for rain in Avila and Caceres on Tuesday (November 10) and Wednesday (November 11), issued by the Spanish weather agency AEMET. Accumulated rainfall within 12 hours could reach 120mm, AEMET has warned.
As well as the red alerts for rain, AEMET has issued yellow and amber rain, wind, and storm alerts affecting large parts of mainland Spain on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Balearic Islands remain unaffected by alerts on Tuesday and Wednesday, but then are hit with yellow wind and coastal warnings on Thursday (November 12).
Storm Bruna and Storm Charles
On its website, AEMET has shared a "special warning" which reads: "Heavy and persistent rain, very strong gusts and rough seas." It goes on to explain that the frontal system associated with Storm Bruna is causing an episode of heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas along the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands.
Storm Bruna will then be followed by a second, high-impact storm named Charles. This storm will bring a warm, very humid air mass from tropical latitudes, which will result in widespread rainfall which could be heavy or very heavy and persistent in the southern and western halves of the Peninsula. Throughout the stormy period, wind gusts across Spain could reach as high as 120kmh, AEMET has warned.
Portugal and Madeira warnings
Portugal has also been hit with severe weather warnings. On Wednesday, red alerts have been issued across the whole country as wind gusts could reach as high as 140kmh, MeteoAlarm warns.
The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel alert for Portugal which reads: "Heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous coastal conditions are forecast across mainland Portugal, Madeira and Porto Santo. The greatest risk is expected on Wednesday 11 November.
"The weather may cause flooding, landslides, falling trees and travel disruption. Schools and public services may also close at short notice. In Madeira and Porto Santo, severe weather is expected from Tuesday evening 10 November into Wednesday 11 November, particularly in exposed and mountainous areas."
