Weather warning issued for Catalonia: DANA set to disrupt sweltering temperatures and trigger harsh storms — identifying those most threatened and predicting the timeline
Storm Set to Drench Catalonia Starting August 24
A powerful storm is set to sweep across Catalonia starting from August 24, according to meteorological forecasts. This storm, known as DANA, is an upper-level low that is expected to destabilize the air and add lift to the atmosphere, priming it for brief but fierce cells.
The DANA is expected to affect Spain and specifically Catalonia from midday on August 24. As it spins up over the southwest, it will promote heavy, thundery showers in Catalonia and the north-east interior, with a few storms also possible over south-eastern mountains.
The storm is expected to bring a significant cool-down, especially across Catalonia, with a sharp dip in temperatures. This is a welcome relief after Spain's latest heatwave, which was the most intense ever recorded, with a "heatwave anomaly" of +4.6°C.
The southern coastal strip has struggled to cool, with low temperatures of 24-25°C at 6am, leaving humid air in place for storms to develop once the upper disturbance arrives. The showers are expected to first occur along the Barcelona and Girona pre-coast, then move inland into Central Catalonia, Ponent (the west), and the Pyrenees.
The potential downpours exceeding 20 litres per square metre in 30 minutes pose a high risk of flash-flooding in the eastern Pyrenees regions, including Ripollès (Girona), Berguedà (Barcelona), and La Garrotxa (Girona). Civil protection chiefs have activated the INUNCAT flood plan, warning of intense bursts of rain, hail, and gusty winds.
To stay safe during the storm, it is advised to stay informed by checking Meteocat and AEMET for live warnings and radar, following Protecció Civil updates on #INUNCAT, and using 112 for emergencies.
When driving in heavy rain, it is essential to slow down on the first minutes of rain when roads are greasiest, avoid underpasses, ramblas, and low crossings that flood rapidly, and don't attempt to cross moving water. In coastal and mountain areas, storms can build quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on the sky, leave the water if thunder is heard, and re-route hikes away from narrow gullies or streambeds.
It is also advisable to secure terraces and avoid parking under fragile trees during hail and wind. Once the storm passes, cooler air will filter to other regions as the system shuffles east.
The responsible person who activated the INUNCAT flood planning is the Catalan Government Civil Protection, and the system might first be activated in the Ponent region during severe flood events, though the exact timing depends on evolving weather conditions.
Stay safe and stay informed during this stormy weather!
