Galicia faces a new day marked by a severe coastal storm which has forced the activation of Orange alert on the coast of A Coruña and PontevedraRegional authorities have focused on safety, given an episode of rough seas and adverse winds that is creating a complicated situation along much of the Atlantic coast.
The weather services predict Waves that can reach up to five meters in height, accompanied by Very strong winds from the south and southwestThis combination of rough seas and strong gusts has led the Galician government to coordinate a prevention plan and issue numerous recommendations to the public to avoid unnecessary risks on the coast.
Orange alert on the coast of A Coruña and Pontevedra
La Xunta de Galicia has decreed the Orange alert for coastal storm along the entire coastline of the provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedrawith a focus on protecting property and people. The warning affects particularly exposed sections, such as the Death Coast, the northwest and southwest coast of A Coruña, as well as the RÃas Baixas and the Miño area in the province of Pontevedra.
According to State Meteorological Agency (Aemet)the adverse phenomenon will be active from the early hours of the morning and will continue, at least, through Monday and part of Tuesday. Combined sea southwest to Waves up to five meters high, a scenario that multiplies the risk in dikes, breakwaters, ports and seafront promenades.
The orange alert at sea is combined with Other warnings for wind and rain which extend across much of the region. MeteoGalicia warns that Few areas of Galicia will escape weather warnings This episode comes accompanied by very active fronts and warm air from the south.
Meanwhile, the Xunta has pointed out that this is a significant coastal storm episodewhere any lapse in attention near the sea can be costly. For this reason, local and provincial authorities have been put on alert to respond to any incidents related to waves and wind.
South wind of force 8 and significant swell
Predictive models point to South and southwest winds of force 8 in large areas of the Galician Atlantic coast. Inland, the wind will blow very strongly, with gusts that can easily exceed 80 km/h in the mountains of Lugo, the interior and coast of Pontevedra, the Mariña Lucense, the northwest and southwest of A Coruña and the mountains of Ourense.
Some areas along the coast have already been affected. very strong gusts, with values ​​that in other recent episodes exceeded 120 or 130 km/h in coastal areas towns like Cedeira and Viveiro illustrate the potential of these types of winter storms in Galicia. Although the maximum gusts may be somewhat lower this time, the risk remains high in exposed areas.
At sea, the Combined sea southwest She will be the protagonist. five-meter waves The high tides predicted for the stretch between A Guarda and Estaca de Bares, as well as along the Costa da Morte, pose a clear danger to fishing, sporting, and recreational activities. In some specific areas, wave models even indicate that to occasionally exceed that thresholdespecially at high tide and with the wind aligned with the coast.
Aemet and MeteoGalicia maintain Yellow level warnings for high waves Along the rest of the Galician coast, although the waves will be somewhat smaller, they are also expected complicated maritime conditionsThe combination of tides, strong winds, and swells can cause overflows on seafronts and minor flooding in low-lying port areas, especially during spring tides in A Coruña.
This context forces us to Strengthen attention in ports, docks and sheltered areaswhere moored ships are especially sensitive to sudden changes in water level and the constant pounding of waves on the docks.
Persistent rains and mild weather for this time of year
The coastal storm arrives accompanied by a very active front which crosses the community from west to east. The day will be marked by very cloudy skies and persistent rain, especially in the Atlantic provinces, where rainfall is expected to be more continuous and intense.
The rain warnings are focused on the west and southwest of A Coruña, the interior of Pontevedra and the southern and mountainous area of ​​Ourense, with the possibility of accumulate more than 40 liters per square meter in twelve hoursThis situation can complicate traffic on secondary roads, rural tracks, and areas with poor drainage.
As for temperatures, the southerly wind will bring a Relatively mild weather for being in the middle of winterIn the main Galician cities, the minimum temperatures remain above 9-10 ºC in most cases, and the maximum temperatures hover around 12 to 16 ºC, with slightly higher values ​​in southern areas such as Ourense or Vigo.
In cities like LugoThe thermometers will move around the 9-12 ºCWhereas in Vigo and Ourense can be achieved 14-15 ºCOn the A Coruña coast, places like A Coruña or Ferrol They will present mild readings, with highs around 13-14 ºCThis thermal pattern is consistent with the arrival of warm air associated with Atlantic fronts.
This distribution of temperatures, combined with strong winds and rain, paints a picture typical scenario of an Atlantic winter storm In Galicia, the perceived temperature varies depending on wind exposure and proximity to the sea.
Emergency and institutional coordination device
To cope with this adverse episode, the General Directorate of Emergencies and InteriorThe department under the Ministry of the Presidency, Justice and Sports has activated all the protocols planned for situations of Orange alert at sea. Through Integrated Emergency Care Center 112 GaliciaThe situation has been reported to the coastal municipalities, provincial councils, provincial services, Civil Protection and nautical clubs.
The objective is to ensure a rapid response to potential incidentsSuch incidents include fallen trees, landslides, minor damage to coastal infrastructure, and problems with boats. Civil Protection volunteer groups remain on high alert, especially in areas where the storm is expected to have the greatest impact.
In addition, the regional authorities recommend to the public frequently check for updated information available on official portals such as the website of CIAE 112 GaliciaAemet, MeteoGalicia, or Deporte Galego. On these websites, you can follow the storm's evolution in detail, the warnings in force, and any updates to the weather level.
The affected municipalities have received instructions to review sensitive infrastructure such as seafront promenades, beach access points, piers, and parking areas near the coast. Marina and yacht club managers have also been asked to inform their members about the expected sea conditions and the recommended safety measures.
In general, search minimize any risky situation resulting from the combination of strong waves, intense wind and the presence of people in exposed areas, especially during the peak hours of the storm.
Suspension of sporting activity at sea
One of the most visible measures adopted by the Xunta is the suspension of all sporting activities at sea in the municipalities that are under the direct influence of the orange alert. The decision affects both the federated activity as linked to Xogade program, very present in the Galician school sports calendar.
La Xeral Secretariat for Sport has informed the federations, clubs and organizing entities of this suspension, in order to avoid training, competitions or nautical events while adverse conditions persist. Information on the scope of the measure and its possible extension can be found on the website of Galician Sport, where the warnings are updated according to the evolution of the storm.
In addition to the suspension of sporting events, schools for surfing, sailing, canoeing and other nautical sports are urged to temporarily halt their activityThe recommendation also extends to unorganized recreational activities, such as boat trips, sport fishing from a boat, or practicing water sports independently.
This decision is part of the policy of Prioritize safety above any sporting calendarIn previous episodes, the waves and wind have already caused risky situations for athletes and fans, so the authorities insist on not letting their guard down, even if the storm may seem less intense from land.
In short, it is about to minimize the presence of people at sea during the hours when the waves reach their maximum and the wind blows with greater intensity, thus avoiding complicated rescues and unnecessary emergency situations.
Recommendations to the public and evolution of the episode
Regional authorities and emergency services are emphasizing a number of basic self-protection recommendations While the alerts remain active. The most important one is stay away from the shoreline, especially of dikes, breakwaters, seafront promenades and cliff areaswhere the waves can rise above the height of the promenade itself and sweep away anyone who approaches to observe the storm.
It is also advised Avoid approaching marinas and breakwaters Taking photographs or videos of the waves is a common practice that carries obvious risks. If you have a boat, it is recommended check ropes and mooringssecuring the boats well and removing, as far as possible, elements that may be blown away by the wind.
Inside, the convenience of Remove flowerpots and loose objects from balconies and terracesas well as checking for items that could fall onto public roads. In wooded areas, extra caution is advised, as strong gusts can cause branches or entire trees to fall.
Regarding the evolution of the episode, the models indicate that the The worst of the storm will be concentrated between Monday and early Tuesday morningThe orange alert for the sea will tend to be reduced from the early hours of the morning, although warnings for wind and rain could remain in some mountain areas and in southern Galicia during the first hours of Tuesday.
From Wednesday onwards, the forecast points to a change in wind circulation towards a northerly componentThis should bring a slight respite from the rainfall. However, weather services are not ruling out the arrival of new Atlantic fronts throughout the week, maintaining an unstable weather pattern typical of this time of year.
In this context, everything points to the fact that Galicia will continue to experience storms and episodes of rain and wind. The weather will persist for several days, with brief periods of improvement. Therefore, official agencies emphasize the importance of following updated warnings and not letting your guard down even if the skies clear for a few hours.
With the sea in full swing, strong gusts of wind and persistent rain, the coastline of A Coruña and Pontevedra is experiencing another day of Atlantic-style winter storm where the priority is once again safety: avoiding unnecessary exposure on the coast, respecting sports restrictions and remaining attentive to emergency instructions become, once again, the best way to coexist with a sea that these days shows its wildest side.
