Spain braces for Danielle, the season’s first hurricane, which is forecast to transition into a deep autumn storm by the end of the week. Gusts topping 40 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall are expected in western Galicia as the system evolves.
Danielle is anticipated to weaken in the next hours, losing hurricane strength as cooler waters and atmospheric conditions take their toll. Meteorologists describe the cyclone as starting to lose intensity and becoming a tropical cyclone before its remnant energy advances toward Iberia.
Forecasts suggest Danielle will drift northwest of the Azores, with its remnants likely reaching the Iberian Peninsula from Sunday. Aemet representatives compare the weather pattern to a strong autumn storm, signaling notable rainfall and wind impacts across the western half of the country.
In practical terms, the remnants of Danielle are expected to bring wetter conditions and wind gusts above 40 km/h to large portions of the peninsula, especially along the Galician coast and mountain peaks. Weather models indicate this week or early next week will carry those conditions as the storm system moves through the region.
Meanwhile, Galicia is poised for rain this Wednesday, while the broader Mediterranean region and the Balearics are forecast to experience warmth, with temperatures possibly surpassing 36 degrees in Valencia and Alicante. The shift in weather will bring a mix of wet and warm spells across different zones.
Looking ahead to Thursday and Friday, a wet westerly flow should bring rain to western Galicia and the Cantabrian communities, with the Pyrenees and northern areas also feeling the effects. Rain may lessen in other parts of the northern half while the Central System sees continued activity.
Rainfall is expected to spread to Galicia, the Pyrenees, and Catalonia, with lingering showers suggested for those areas as the day progresses. The rest of the peninsula should enjoy sunnier spells, though the Mediterranean coast could still feel heat. Eastern provinces may see temperatures rising above 34 or 35 degrees, with the Balearic Islands and southern regions reaching near 38 degrees in places like Murcia on Friday. Granada and Córdoba could see highs around 36 degrees, while Valencia could stay around the mid-30s. In contrast, Madrid might remain cooler at about 31 degrees, with La Coruña or Lugo staying closer to 25 degrees.
Saturday is forecast to bring more rain to Galicia, the Pyrenees, and Catalonia. Aemet notes the possibility of storms in the Pyrenees and Galicia, with clearer skies to the south and cooler air along the Mediterranean coast. Elsewhere, temperatures may rise slightly beyond 34 or 36 degrees in the Guadalquivir valley.
By Sunday afternoon, the arrival of Danielle’s effects across Spain will become more evident. Strong winds and rain are expected to intensify in the northwest as the system shifts into an Atlantic storm, increasing its impact on Galicia. The broader forecast points to cloud cover spreading across the peninsula, bringing rain and higher winds to the western half while temperatures dip in the northwest and rise in the east.
Across Andalusia and the Mediterranean, heat remains a factor. The end of the week could push daytime highs beyond 34 degrees in the eastern Cantabrian area, the southern Meseta, inland Andalusia, and Mediterranean regions. In the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys and Valencia, temperatures may approach or exceed 36 degrees, while Galicia remains cooler with highs around 20 to 22 degrees.
In the Canary Islands, trade winds may bring some gusts to exposed coastal areas, with light drizzle more likely in the northern zones. The southern parts of the islands should enjoy clearer skies and gradually rising temperatures in the coming days.