The arrival of the Storm Harry It will put a large part of the eastern Iberian Peninsula to the test with an episode of heavy rains, snow in the mountains and maritime storm which will last for several days. Models point to a very unstable weather pattern, with incidents spread across Catalonia, Valencian Community, Aragon, Castile and León, Eastern Andalusia and the Balearic Islands, in addition to strong waves in the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean area.
Harry is the eighth high-impact storm of the season named by AEMET and European meteorological services. It was created in association with a low pressure center between North Africa and the MediterraneanAnd its placement will be key: it will channel an intense, very humid easterly and northeasterly flow towards the Mediterranean coast, with accumulated rainfall that in some areas will exceed 100 l/m² and heavy snowfall in the main mountain ranges.
How Storm Harry is developing and what kind of weather it will bring this weekend
Before Harry even makes landfall over the Mediterranean, the weather has already turned much more wintry in large parts of the country, with active weather warningsRoads affected and a significant deployment of snowplows. AEMET has maintained the following forecast for these days: multiple yellow and orange level warnings due to snow, rain and coastal phenomena.
In the northern half, the Snow has complicated traffic on at least 52 roads in eight provinces, Especially in Aragon and Castile and Leónwhere they have been deployed nearly 700 snowplows to keep the main roads open. On sections such as the AP-6, AP-51 and AP-61, the DGT has reached restrict truck traffic and require the use of snow chains or winter tires.
Provinces like Ávila, Segovia, León, Salamanca or Zamora They woke up to temperatures near or below 0°C and significant snow depths, slightly more than five centimeters in the capital of Ávila and several centimeters more in mountain passes like Cotos, where around 7 cm have accumulated.
Meanwhile, in the mediterranean coast The approaching storm is already noticeable.In Catalonia, the following are recorded: rainfall spread throughout the communitywhich in some places exceed 70 l/m², and in the Pyrenees of Lleida and Girona, thicknesses greater than 40 cm of fresh snowThis scenario will be the prelude to the worsening directly associated with Harry.
In the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, The rain has returned to the province of Almeríawith showers in the capital and in municipalities such as Roquetas de Mar, El Ejido, Berja, and Dalías. AEMET forecasts that both the cold and the rainfall and coastal phenomena remain present throughout the weekend, with the possibility that snow will reappear at higher elevations inland.
Forecast: Monday to Wednesday under Harry's influence
Beginning MondayHarry will get better organized among the North Africa and the Balearic Islands and will begin pump warm, very humid air from the Mediterranean towards the eastern part of the peninsula. The morning will bring Rain is already falling in the Balearic Islands and Catalonia.which locally may be more intense in Girona and areas of the Pyrenees, where they are expected heavy snowfall from about 1.400 meters.
As the day progresses, the rainfall associated with the storm They will gradually gain ground and expand.In the afternoon and evening they will be able to arrive the Valencian Community, the Ebro Valley and other inland regionswith episodes of heavy rain in Girona, Barcelona, and Tarragona. In these areas, the possibility of isolated strong storms may occur with torrential downpours.
El Tuesday According to the models, it will be the a more complicated dayWith Harry now fully settled over the western Mediterranean, rainfall will be persistent and intense along much of the coast and pre-coastal areaCatalonia, the Valencian Community, Aragon, Castile-La Mancha, and even regions of Castile and León will feel the instability, with Widespread showers and snowfall in the main mountain ranges.
Meanwhile, the storm will result in a Very rough seas and strong winds on the Mediterranean coast. The combination of waves, rain, and strong gusts will cause coastal areas are especially vulnerableTherefore, the authorities insist on the need to take extreme precautions, avoid approaching breakwaters and not drive through flood-prone areas.
Looking WednesdayThe core of the storm will move and the Rainfall will tend to concentrate in the southern Mediterraneanwith significant downpours still expected in Valencia, Alicante and MurciaAs the day progresses, the rainfall will subside, although it may continue. residual showers in the Balearic Islands and a still unstable environment in the northeast of the peninsula.
Impact on Catalonia: very heavy rain and snow in the Pyrenees
Harry's position will be especially crucial for Cataloniawhere the storm is expected channel a “river of moisture” from the east and northeast towards the coast and the pre-coastal area. This marine input, upon encountering the topography, will favor continuous and locally very heavy rain, with the risk of exceptional accumulations for the time of year.
Between monday and tuesday They wait virtually uninterrupted rainfall in Tarragona, Barcelona and Girona, with records that in many regions will easily exceed 90-100 l/m²In the area surrounding the Barcelona metropolitan area, on the central coast and in sections of the Tarragona coast, some models even point to peaks of 140-150 l/m² in less than 48 hours.
El Pyrenees and the Pre-Pyrenees Catalans will concentrate a large part of the snow associated with this episodeIn the eastern Pyrenees, the following are being considered: thicknesses of between 60 and 90 cm, with the possibility of exceeding these figures at higher elevationsMeanwhile, significant accumulations are also expected in the western sector. The snow level will be around 1.400 meters, although incursions of colder air could lower it somewhat in inland valleys.
The Catalan authorities have activated yellow and orange alerts Due to heavy rain, snow, wind, and rough seas across virtually the entire region. Emphasis is placed on Avoid flood-prone areas, riverbeds and streamsbecause the increase in flow could be rapid and lead to flooding. In some areas, these measures are being considered. accumulated rainfall close to 100 l/m² in a few hours, which reinforces the risk of incidents.
On the coast, the Easterly winds may reach gusts of 70 to 80 km/h, especially in Girona and the Costa Brava, with a maritime storm that will leave Waves between 4 and 6 metersThis scenario increases the danger on seafront promenades, ports and rocky areas, where approaching the waves is strongly discouraged.
According to information from AEMET, There are already orange alerts in place for Monday in coastal and pre-coastal areas of Girona by persistent rainfall and accumulations of more than 100 l/m² in 12 hoursas well as by snowfall exceeding 5 cm in 24 hours at altitudes above approximately 1.400 meters. Many of the warnings are still yellow, but It is possible that they will level up as the most active episode approaches, between Tuesday and Wednesday.
Valencian Community: heavy downpours, wind and rough seas
At ValenciaThe main weather services agree that Harry could trigger a real storm. “bomb” of rain in just a few daysThe very wet easterly flow is expected to be channeled towards the coastal and pre-coastal areas of Castellón, Valencia and northern Alicantewhere the terrain will favor strong reactivations of showers.
The models handle in valleys and mountain ranges exposed to the northeast, especially in the northern Alicante, southern pre-coastal area of Valencia and northeast of CastellónIn areas with more pronounced relief, it is possible that those values are exceededwith very persistent showers.
AEMET emphasizes that the atmospheric configuration will favor an east-northeast component flow over the entire Mediterranean facade, classic situation of significant maritime stormThis will result in strong winds and intense gusts on the coast, very rough seas and High waves posing a risk to seafront promenades and coastal areas.
In addition to the rain and wind, the possibility of occasional storms and thunder In some sectors, this is a result of widespread instability. In mountainous areas around the Iberian System and the Eastern Pyrenees, linked to the community or very close to it, are expected heavy snowfall between 1.000 and 1.400 meters, although in the Valencian Community the level will remain somewhat higher due to the entry of warm air.
According to the Climatology Laboratory of the University of AlicanteThe storm will be well positioned between Balearic Islands and North Africagenerating “substantial accumulated"that will exceed 100 l/m² in the north of the Valencian Community and the south of the Gulf of Valencia. Between the Tuesday and Wednesday The highest intensity is expected in the province of Alicante, without ruling out strong gusts of wind and very rough seas with waves that could reach 2-3 meters and peaks of up to 4 meters on exposed capes like the Nao cape.
Aragon, Castile and León and mountain systems: very abundant snow
Beyond the coastline, Storm Harry will also have significant effects in the interior of the peninsulawhere the cold has already paved the way with a significant snowfall for this time of year. In communities like Aragon and Castile and LeónThe presence of cold air aloft and the arrival of new precipitation will ensure new snowfall in mountain ranges and high plateaus.
At the Huesca Pyrenees They have registered snow accumulations of up to 20 centimetersAnd snowfall is expected to intensify again as the moist flow associated with Harry reactivates. Data from AEMET and the Catalan meteorological service indicate that Current thicknesses already clearly exceed the average For this time of year, especially in the eastern Pyrenees, they are around or above the average in the central sector.
El EFI (Extreme Forecast Index) index of the European model It highlights the exceptional nature of the upcoming snowfall, noting that In some areas, snowfall will be very unusual for the month of January.The new episode of "southeast" and easterly winds could last for several days, further increasing the accumulated snowpack at higher elevations.
En Avila and SegoviaThe State Meteorological Agency has raised the Yellow to orange snow warning in the plateaus and mountainous areas, with a forecast of to accumulate about five centimeters of snow in 24 hours above 800-900 meters. This situation is compounded by the low temperatures, which remain close to 0ºC in many provincial capitals of the Meseta.
At the Iberian System, Central System and Cantabrian Mountains, as well as in high areas of Aragon (Teruel and bordering areas) and eastern Castilla-La Mancha, the models include More snowfall expected throughout Tuesday and WednesdayThe level will vary, but in general it will be located between 1.000 and 1.400 meters, with significant accumulations on mountain peaks and passes.
The Canary Islands and eastern Andalusia: waves, wind and episodes of snow at high altitudes
Although the core of Storm Harry will be centered over the Mediterranean, The Canary Islands and Eastern Andalusia They will not escape the bad weather either. In the Canary Islands archipelago, [measures/measures] have been activated. Warnings for high waves on all islandswith waves that reach and exceed five meters, which has led to prohibiting access to some bathing areas and seafronts.
The wind will be another prominent element in the islands, where Gusts of up to 90 km/h are expected on mountain peaks. and exposed areas. Authorities urge caution, staying away from breakwaters and beaches with buoys, and following official warnings to reduce the risk of accidents.
In the province of AlmeriaThe change in weather is already noticeable with persistent rain and colder weatherMunicipalities in the western part of Almería and inland areas, such as Berja, Enix, Laujar de Andarax, Ohanes, and Fiñana, are facing a high probability of precipitation over the weekend, with the possibility that snow reappears at elevations of 1.000-1.300 meters.
AEMET forecasts for Saturday Partly cloudy skies with heavier rain in the afternoon inlandTemperatures will decrease, with light to moderate frosts in mountainous areas. Winds will be generally light and variable, becoming moderate from the west along the southern coast. From Monday onwards, with Storm Harry fully active, a rise in rainfall is expected. locally heavy rain, wind and coastal phenomenawhich can lead to Damage to seafront promenades, fallen branches, and local flooding.
Overall, the Mediterranean storm accompanying Harry will reinforce the risk in the coastal areas of the southeastern peninsulawhere it is recommended to pay attention to weather warnings and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of peak rainfall or rough seas.
With Storm Harry still in the process of strengthening, meteorological services agree that Eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands will experience several days of very adverse weather.With heavy rain, significant snowfall in the mountains, strong winds, and very rough seas. Although the situation is expected to moderate from Wednesday onwards, the possible arrival of new fronts from the west could prolong the unsettled weather for a few more days, so it will be crucial to follow updates from AEMET (the Spanish State Meteorological Agency) and regional weather services to anticipate any changes in the storm's development.
