The Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) warned on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, of a significant change in the weather from Thursday, 20 August. After several days of settled, warm weather, the agency expects widespread precipitation in the north and east of Spain as well as locally strong thunderstorms in the southeast of the country. A noticeable fall in temperatures is also expected: according to Meteored daytime highs in the north and in the Südosten could fall by around 6 to 10 degrees within 24 hours, temporarily dropping below the levels typical for the time of year.
Aemet attributes this to the rapid passage of an upper-level trough over the Iberian Peninsula and the arrival of a cooler, polar maritime air mass. The new pattern is expected to become established over the weekend: an extensive trough structure west of the peninsula and a slowly moving frontal system are likely to make the atmosphere more unstable, particularly in the Nordosten.
Conditions will vary considerably by region. Prolonged and locally heavy rain is expected in the northern third of the country and along the Cantabrian coast. The risk of thunderstorms is elevated in the “tercio sureste”, or southeastern third of Spain; locally, intense rainfall, gusts of wind and isolated hail are possible. Aemet warns of the risk of sudden flooding from slow-moving storm cells. Downbursts from strong thunderstorms could also disrupt traffic.
The agency issues warnings in tiers; “Avisos meteorológicos” may be adjusted at short notice depending on conditions. Local authorities and emergency services in potentially affected areas should expect temporary road closures and weather-related disruption. The public is advised to keep checking Aemet’s short-term forecasts and official notices, and to adapt outdoor activities—especially in exposed areas—to the changing conditions.
The forecasts cover the coming days and may vary by region depending on the precise path of the upper-level trough and fronts. The meteorological trend is clear, however: a sharp drop in temperature, widespread rain in the north and east, and an increased risk of thunderstorms in the southeast. Aemet plans to provide further details in updated assessments during the day.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).