Spain's national weather agency, AEMET, has issued a "special warning" for several popular holiday destinations, cautioning about "very strong and persistent showers and storms" expected to bring flooding and rising waterways.
The alert, issued on Monday, covers Mediterranean coastal regions of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, including Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Cabrera. It remains in effect from Saturday, October 17, until at least Monday, October 19.
Storm Adam to bring heavy rainfall
AEMET said that Storm Adam will bring heavy and prolonged rainfall. Fierce storms could begin as early as Saturday, but Sunday and Monday are forecast to bring the most severe conditions. Additional guidance indicates that Catalonia and the Balearic Islands will also experience powerful winds and turbulent seas.
Following "several days of stable weather and unseasonably high temperatures," AEMET said "a significant change in the weather is expected this weekend."
Forecast details and expected impact
In its forecast, translated from Spanish, AEMET said: "The detachment and isolation of the Adam cut-off low over northern Spain will lead to a general increase in instability from Saturday the 17th, while the position of the anticyclone over the British Isles will contribute to inducing a very humid easterly and northeasterly flow over the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands."
"This scenario will result in an episode of intense and persistent rainfall in the aforementioned areas, which may be locally heavy or very heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms."
These conditions could trigger localised flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, alongside flash floods in streams and ravines, especially in regions where soils are already saturated from previous rainfall. The event is expected to be accompanied by spells of strong winds and turbulent seas along the Mediterranean coastline.
The approach of a cold front will bring about a widespread fall in temperatures, which will drop to more typical levels for this time of year, or marginally below average. Some uncertainty remains regarding the position of the cut-off low, surface winds and their interaction, making it challenging to determine the precise geographical spread and volume of rainfall.
