After a day of heavy showers and thunderstorms, particularly along the east and south-east coasts, the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) expects Friday, 18 September 2026, with conditions set to calm significantly across much of Spain. High-level warnings have been downgraded or lifted in many areas; some regions, however, still have advisories for possible heavy rain and thunderstorms.
On Thursday 17 September 2026, the heaviest rainfall hit the regions of Valencia and Murcia, parts of Andalusia and the Balearic Islands. AEMET and regional services had issued relevant warnings. Media reports cited disruption to transport, flooded roads and isolated weather-related incidents. The public broadcaster RTVE and other newsrooms summed up the situation in the evening, while overnight forecasts were already pointing to a weakening of the rainfall.
For Friday, AEMET expects mainly showers or brief thunderstorms of decreasing intensity. However, even smaller amounts of rain may cause local problems where the ground is saturated. Councils are therefore advising people to avoid underpasses, low-lying areas and riverbanks until drainage and groundwater levels have returned to normal. The areas of concern include minor roads, parts of the drainage system and lower-lying residential areas, which tend to remain vulnerable after intense rainfall.
Official statements point to generally more stable weather from 18 September 2026. At the same time, isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out in some parts of the country. Forecasts may change at short notice depending on the path of any remaining storm cells and local effects.
Facts and forecasts should be distinguished: the heavy rainfall and warnings on 17 September 2026 are documented. The improvement announced for Friday is based on current observations and weather-service model calculations. People in affected areas should therefore follow warnings and guidance from local authorities, even as the overall risk decreases. Europa Press and regional authorities also reported isolated damage on Thursday, with clean-up and safety work planned over the coming days.
Spain is therefore expecting a period of recovery after the severe weather, although residual risks have not entirely passed. What happens next will depend on the withdrawal of moist air over the western Mediterranean and the development of subsequent, weaker weather disturbances.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).