Spain is on high alert as a massive weather system threatens to drench coastal regions, blanket mountains in snow, and unleash thunderstorms across the nation. Brace yourselves! The sun-soaked dream is about to turn into a frosty Manchester nightmare as Spain is battered by freezing weather and relentless rain. Get ready to hold on to your brolly like it’s last night’s dignity on the dance floor at closing time. Temperatures are about to nosedive to a teeth-chattering -6°C in some regions. Snow, torrential rain, and icy winds are rolling in, thanks to a massive Arctic weather system breaking loose from the polar jet stream. Weather warnings issued by AEMET across SpainThe Spanish weather agency, Aemet, has slapped yellow alerts on seven regions, including Aragón, Asturias, Cantabria, and La Rioja. Expect frost, sleet, and icy roads, with some areas facing temperatures as low as -3°C. In the Catalan Pyrenees, snow is expected to fall at altitudes as low as 1,000 metres. Meanwhile, a menacing DANA storm is heading in from the Gulf of Genoa, bringing yet more wind and heavy rainfall.Serious weather warning of torrential storms for Barcelona Torrential storms are set to lash the Mediterranean coast, Balearic Islands, and parts of southern Spain. Some areas could see up to 40 litres of rain per square metre – enough to flood the streets. Thankfully, this time the downpours are more likely to hit the coast, sparing inland streams and avoiding the devastating floods seen in October. That disaster left 230 dead, with four still missing, and caused destruction on a scale not seen in years. Barcelona’s coastline faces a serious weather warning, with 40 mm of rain per hour forecast between 9 PM Dec 12 and 4 AM Dec 13. Over a 12-hour period, rainfall totals could hit 80 mm, sparking fears of flooding. Inland areas around Barcelona and Girona are also at risk, with 20 mm per hour of rain expected throughout the day.Heavy rain expected across many areas of Spain including Murcia, and Axarquia Girona’s Ampurdán region and southern coast face 20 mm per hour rainfall, continuing until noon Dec 13. Tarragona’s northern coastline could see 30 mm per hour, with localised bursts of up to 40 mm per hour, and total rainfall could reach 60 mm in 12 hours. In Málaga’s Axarquía region, 25 mm per hour of rain is forecast, with accumulations up to 60 mm by the morning of Dec 13. Granada’s coastal areas aren’t escaping the chaos either, with steady 20 mm per hour rainfall overnight. Almería’s Levante and Poniente areas will also see 20 mm per hour of rain between 8 PM Dec 12 and 8 AM Dec 13. Murcia’s Campo de Cartagena region and Guadalentín Valley face 15 mm per hour of rainfall between midnight and 8 AM, on December 13. Rainfall is expected to be less intense further inland.Up to 5cm of snow expected to fall in mountainous areas in Barcelona and Girona Mountainous areas in Barcelona and Girona, including the Pyrenees, are forecast to receive up to 5 cm of snow above 1,300 metres. The snowfall started in the afternoon of December 12 and will continue into the early morning of Dec 13, making travel hazardous.AEMET state thunderstorm and hail intensity demands caution Thunderstorms will rumble across Barcelona, Girona, and Tarragona, with hail likely in coastal areas. Málaga, Granada, and parts of Almería are also on alert for lightning and heavy rainfall during the same period. The Spanish Meteorological Agency (Aemet) warns that while these storms are not unusual for December, the intensity demands caution. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay indoors during storms, and prepare for potential flooding or power outages. With torrential rain, frosty snow, and thundering skies, Spain is in for a turbulent week. Keep your umbrellas at the ready and stay safe! Weekend respite on the way As the week draws to a close, things should start to settle. Temperatures will creep back to normal, hovering around 10°C inland and climbing above 15°C in the south and east. Frosts will ease off but will possibly still linger in the north. From euroweeklynews.com