Forecasts show Danielle, the season’s first hurricane, evolving as it approaches the Iberian Peninsula. By late this week or the start of the next, it is expected to transition into a deep autumn storm capable of bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to western Spain, particularly Galicia, with gusts over 40 kilometers per hour and significant rain in the region.
According to Rubén del Campo, spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency, Aemet, Danielle will gradually weaken in the coming hours from a hurricane into a tropical cyclone as cooler Atlantic waters and unfavorable atmospheric conditions take hold. This shift reduces the hurricane’s intensity, but it does not erase the risk of disruptive weather along its path.
Forecast models indicate Danielle will move in a counterclockwise arc toward the northwest of the Azores, and it will not reach the Iberian Peninsula until Sunday, September 11. An Aemet spokesperson described the system as having effects similar to a strong autumn storm, underscoring the broad scope of its influence rather than its category.
As Danielle’s remnants spread across the peninsula, expect rainfall to affect the western half and winds to reach or exceed 40 km/h in many areas. The Galician coast and high mountain zones are highlighted as especially prone to stronger gusts. The forecast notes that rain may begin as early as this midweek, with wetter conditions concentrated across Galicia and pockets of the northern half of the country, then easing in some regions before the weekend.
Beyond the Atlantic-driven system, a warm spell persists in other parts of the peninsula. Galicia will likely see showers, while the Mediterranean region and the Balearic Islands remain anomalously warm, with temperatures climbing toward or beyond 36 degrees Celsius in several eastern provinces like Valencia and Alicante. Bedrock heat in these areas could coincide with the tail end of the week’s unsettled weather.
Tomorrow, Thursday, and into Friday, damp westerly winds are forecast to push rainfall toward western Galicia and the Cantabrian communities, with the Pyrenees and surrounding northern regions experiencing wetter conditions. In other areas to the south, clouds may be more sparse, yet the central system and the northern half of the country could still see recurring shower activity as a mild, lingering disturbance interacts with regional climates.
Daytime temperatures across much of the peninsula will show a varied pattern. The eastern Mediterranean coast is set to remain hot, with daytime values reaching the mid-30s in several provinces. The Balearic Islands, along with the southern third of the country, could push toward the upper 30s in places like Murcia on Friday. Valencia and Córdoba may see readings near 36 degrees, while Madrid could linger around the mid-30s in some zones. In contrast, coastal Galicia and parts of the northwest should stay cooler, with maxima typically not exceeding the mid-20s.
Saturday Outlook: Rain and Heat in Distinct Corridors
On Saturday, forecasts point to rainfall extending into the Pyrenees, mixed with Galicia’s conditions and locally strong storms in Catalonia. The south and eastern coasts should experience clearer skies, followed by slightly cooler temperatures along the Mediterranean belt and higher temperatures inland in central and southern regions, where the Guadalquivir valley could see daytime highs around 34 to 36 degrees.
By Sunday afternoon, the presence of Danielle will be felt more clearly as an Atlantic storm system spawns stronger winds and increased rainfall in the northwest, transferring moisture into Galicia. The overall picture suggests enhanced cloudiness across much of the country, with the western half most exposed to recurrent showers and a gradual drop in temperatures in the northwest while the eastern regions may continue to warm modestly.
Extreme Heat to Persist in Some Regions
Looking toward the end of the week, heat remains stubborn in eastern cantabrian markets, the southern Meseta, inland Andalusia, and other Mediterranean districts. Day temperatures could exceed 34 degrees along the eastern Cantabrian coast and into the Meseta, with the Ebro and Guadalquivir valleys potentially hitting 36 degrees. Valencia’s vicinity may see 36 degrees, while Galicia’s thermometers are expected to stay cooler, topping out around 20 to 22 degrees.
In the Canary Islands, trade winds will resume, bringing breezier conditions to exposed coastal sectors and a modest drizzle into the north. The southern regions should enjoy generally clearer skies with milder or gradually rising temperatures in the coming days.
Overall, meteorologists emphasize vigilance for rapid weather shifts tied to Danielle’s remnants. The forecast highlights the risk of sudden gusts, heavy downpours in western Galicia and the Pyrenees, and temperature contrasts that could challenge travelers and outdoor plans across the country.