La AxarquÃa region of Malaga It has experienced a most unusual Tuesday morning for this time of year, with a very intense hailstorm which has left the municipality of Canillas de Aceituno covered in a striking white blanket. Adding to the scene is the summit of The Tightrope, the highest point in the province, which has dawned completely snowed after the last vestiges of storm Emilia.
The episode has been formed in a way sudden during the nightThe hailstorm surprised residents with an almost wintry landscape in the middle of autumn. Streets, rooftops, squares, and fields around Canillas awoke to a layer of hail that, in some areas, was still visible early in the morning in the shadier parts of the town and on rural roads.
A hailstorm that transforms Canillas de Aceituno
The City Council has shared on social media that, if the town is already... one of the most picturesque in the AxarquÃa regionThe scene after the hailstorm has transformed it into a "particularly magical" place. Images shared by residents and Civil Protection show streets completely white, as if it were a snowfall, although in reality it was accumulated hail.
In another message, the council conveyed a "good morning and happy Tuesday" greeting accompanied by photographs taken after the incident and asked, through Civil Protection of Canillas de Aceituno, take extra precautions when walking and traveling around the municipality, especially in areas where the layer of hail may still be slippery.
The most striking image has been offered La Maroma, with its 2.069 meters of altitudeThe area has been completely blanketed in white, creating a scene more typical of the heart of winter than of this time of year. This is the second similar event this season, following a snowfall just two weeks ago, confirming the marked trend. atmospheric instability which is accompanying this autumn in the interior of the AxarquÃa.
According to experts from AEMET (Agencia Estatal de MeteorologÃa)These types of phenomena can occur even without specific warnings when several factors coincide: very cold air in the upper layers of the atmosphere and humidity coming from the Mediterranean. This combination triggers the hail storms in mountain areas or in pre-coastal areas, as is the case of Canillas de Aceituno and its surroundings.
The Canillas City Council has indicated that, despite the spectacular nature of the images, No injuries have been reported No particularly serious incidents have been reported within the municipality. Nevertheless, surveillance is being maintained on rural roads, waterways, and runoff areas, given the possibility of further showers or isolated thunderstorms in the coming hours.
Storms, wind and heavy rain in the AxarquÃa region
The hailstorm in Canillas is part of a larger episode of Instability linked to a new storm The last effects of Storm Emilia on the province of Malaga, which included intense thunderstorm and torrential rains in nearby areas. Since Monday night, the AxarquÃa region has suffered storms, strong winds and widespread rainThe most intense activity will be concentrated in the early morning hours, between 2:30 and 4:00.
During that interval, the rain arrived accompanied by abundant electrical activity and gusts of windwhich kept many residents awake. Besides Canillas de Aceituno, the The hailstorm severely affected nearby municipalities such as La Viñuelawhere streets and roads could also be seen completely white due to the accumulation of hail.
Data from various amateur weather stations indicate accumulations of up to 75,5 liters per square meter in Periana64,8 in Guaro, 57,2 in Almáchar, 56,7 in Los Romanes, and 56,2 in El Borge. Other rural measurements in the vicinity of the La Viñuela reservoir have also recorded values ​​between 50 and 70 liters per square meter, figures that confirm that the The rain has fallen very heavily in a short time..
If we look at the official stations of AEMET and Red HidrosurThe most notable record in the area is that of Benamargosa, with 47,3 liters per square meter. Following this point are AlcaucÃn, with 41,2 liters; Santón Pitar, with 40; the La Viñuela reservoir itself, with 39,2; and Alfarnatejo, with 35. On the coast and nearby areas, the accumulated rainfall has been more modest, with 26,6 liters in Rincón de la Victoria, just over 20 in Nerja, and around 15 liters in Vélez-Málaga and Algarrobo.
El The wind has been another of the main players During the night, AEMET (the Spanish State Meteorological Agency) measured a maximum wind gust of 83 km/h in Algarrobo at 3:00 AM, as well as 63 km/h in Nerja half an hour later, and 44 km/h in Vélez-Málaga around the same time. These gusts prompted calls to emergency services and caused minor damage in various parts of the region.
Incidents in nearby municipalities and emergency response
The emergency service 112 AndalusiaThe Andalusian Emergency Agency, which is part of the Andalusian Emergency Agency, has received several calls related to the effects of rain and windEspecially in the Rincón de la Victoria area and other municipalities in the AxarquÃa region. Most of the reports have been related to fallen branches and trees, Christmas decorations being blown off their hinges, awnings being ripped from their moors, and minor damage to seafront promenades caused by the strong waves.
En AlmacharThe storm has hit harder in some specific areas. The City Council has reported that significant damage caused by the rain in the municipal football field and in Jardines El Forfe street, where a clear risk has been pointed out both for pedestrian traffic and for nearby homes, due to the sinkholes and slides generated.
As a preventative measure, the Almáchar town council has decided Close Jardines El Forfe street to traffic and also Josefa Gámez Avenue, temporarily, until the cleaning and removal of mud and debris is completed. In addition, the Municipal Emergency Plan to coordinate resources, secure the affected areas and ask the population to avoid unnecessary travel and respect safety signage.
Other municipalities in the surrounding area have also reported complications. Periana Town Hall He noted the presence of "quite a few incidents" on rural roads, especially on the lane connecting Guaro with La Vinagrera, where mud accumulation is making driving difficult. Incidents have also occurred in Arenas and Totalán. rockfalls on secondary roadswhich have required maintenance and cleaning work to restore normality.
Despite this situation, the authorities emphasize that, within reason, There have been no situations of widespread extreme risk in the region. In fact, the yellow alert for rain, which had been continuously active during the early morning, was deactivated early in the morning, around 07:00 a.m., once the most intense front had finished crossing the province.
A very changeable autumn and a respite for the reservoirs
AEMET highlights that the current situation is proving to be a Autumn is especially variable in the province of MalagaWith abrupt temperature contrasts between day and night and a succession of storms and episodes of instability that bring rain in very short periods of time, this dynamic explains why, in a matter of hours, relatively calm days can turn into storms with hail and snow on the peaks.
From a hydrological perspective, rainfall is being viewed as a relief in a context of prolonged droughtespecially in inland areas of Malaga. La Viñuela reservoirThe most important reservoir in the AxarquÃa region has increased its volume by just over one cubic hectometer during these last few hours of intense rain, reaching around 43,5% of its capacity, with more than 71 cubic hectometers stored.
The technicians point out, however, that this rain is of a very punctual and focusedand that a succession of moderate and well-distributed weather fronts is still needed to ensure a solid recovery of water reserves. Even so, the rise in the reservoir level represents a good news for farmers, urban supply and ecosystems of the area, after several years of very low levels.
Regarding the most immediate evolution, it is expected that The probability of showers will decrease throughout the afternoon. In the AxarquÃa region, although light rain is still possible, especially inland, locally accompanied by thunderstorms and hail, and even snow above about 1.400 meters in the mountains.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, forecasts point to a more stable situation in the province. AEMET predicts little cloudy or clear skiesWith some low cloud cover or morning mist inland. Minimum temperatures may drop slightly, while maximum temperatures will tend to rise inland and remain largely unchanged along the coast. Winds will be light, predominantly from the north.
This episode of hailstorm in Canillas de AceitunoFramed by a night of storms and gusts of wind in the AxarquÃa region, it leaves a striking image of towns and mountains covered in white, but it also reminds us of the need to pay attention to weather warnings and the recommendations of the authorities, in an autumn that is proving to be as changeable as it is beneficial for the reservoirs of the region.
