València, 20 August 2026 — The Spanish weather agency AEMET is warning of a significant thunderstorm situation this Thursday in the Comunitat Valenciana . Showers may be heavy in places, with very strong gusts and hail possible locally, particularly inland in the north of the province of Alicante and across much of the Province of Valencia.
According to AEMET, thunderstorms may be severe in places. They are expected mainly inland, where convective cells may bring storm-force gusts and hail. Showers and thunderstorms are also possible along the coast, though their intensity will depend on local developments. The agency urges people to follow official warnings and adjust outdoor plans accordingly.
The Centro de Coordinación de Emergencias of the Generalitat recommends that residents and municipalities follow emergency services’ advice closely and keep an eye on local hazards. Thunderstorms bring the risk of flash flooding, falling branches and lightning; roads may also be hazardous due to aquaplaning and poor visibility. Emergency call centres note that conditions can change rapidly and updates are expected during the day.
Some municipalities are taking precautionary measures: in Elda parks and outdoor sports facilities were temporarily closed on Thursday to reduce the risk of accidents in strong gusts. Such decisions are made by municipalities and are based on current warning levels and local conditions.
The change in weather follows a pronounced heatwave with a period of strong Poniente winds. Regional media reported unusually high overnight lows in València the previous night. AEMET expects instability to increase on Thursday, bringing a marked risk of thunderstorms. How far temperatures fall during the day will depend on the timing and path of the storms; the range may vary considerably by region.
Forecasts remain subject to uncertainty. What is clear is that short-term developments can quickly shift the affected areas, the strength of gusts and rainfall totals. AEMET and the Generalitat’s emergency services therefore advise following official channels during the day and checking promptly for possible closures or changes to traffic arrangements.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).