Across Spain, the current stretch of unusually dry weather continues to hold firm during the early days of May, with no clear sign of relief in sight for many regions. In several areas the landscape remains parched, and the sense of waiting for a much-anticipated change in the spring mood lingers as a common thread through the weather reports. The persistent dryness is a reminder that even the onset of warmer days does not automatically bring promises of rain for every corner of the country. This ongoing lack of precipitation has a spectral impact on agriculture, water reserves, and everyday life, leaving communities to cope with the unusual dryness that has marked these first weeks of May.
Official data released by the State Meteorological Institute (AEMET) through a recent Twitter thread highlights the scale of the situation. The agency notes that the first two weeks of May have remained notably dry for much of Spain, recording a modest 9 liters per square meter of rainfall. This figure translates to a rainfall deficit of about 63 percent relative to the long-term average for this period, underscoring how far the current conditions diverge from typical seasonal norms (AEMET).
Further context from AEMET’s spring statistics indicates that across the entire mainland, total precipitation accumulated toward the end of the observed period stood at 44.4 liters per square meter. This total remains strikingly low and sits close to the low end of historical records for spring months in many provinces, reinforcing the perception of an unusually dry season that is not yet followed by a compensating pattern of rainfall (AEMET).
Looking ahead, meteorological agencies project a shift in the coming days. Forecasters anticipate a marked increase in atmospheric instability over the southern and eastern portions of the peninsula, as well as the Balearic Islands. The forecast suggests that this instability could manifest as heavy rainfall events in these zones, potentially bringing torrential downpours that would break the dry spell observed in the early May period. In broader terms, the upcoming week is expected to bring rain and showers across large swaths of the country as a whole, a pattern that would provide some much-needed relief for the driest regions (AEMET).
Temperatures are also expected to ease toward more typical May levels, offering a break from the unusual warmth that had characterized parts of the month so far. The combination of cooler days and fresh rainfall could help restore moisture in soils and reservoirs, even if the drought conditions themselves are not completely resolved. The overall sentiment remains cautious optimism: while rain cannot erase the drought entirely, the anticipated precipitation and cooler air may provide meaningful respite before the height of summer arrives, giving communities a window to recover and rehydrate agricultural systems (State Meteorological Institute).
Reports from the Bay of Biscay confirm ongoing rainfall activity in the northwest, with recent days marked by persistent wet conditions in that maritime region. In contrast, some portions of the eastern peninsula have experienced heavy downpours, illustrating the uneven distribution of the rainfall pattern across the country. The contrast between wetter and drier pockets within a single country underscores the complex interplay of regional climates and the importance of localized forecasts for farmers, municipalities, and residents alike. In sum, the first half of May has been remarkably dry in many areas, but official forecasts forecast a shift that could alter conditions notably by mid-late May. The data cited above comes from AEMET and reflects the agency’s ongoing monitoring and evaluation of Spain’s evolving spring weather (AEMET).