Contrary to common assumptions, heavy and prolonged rainfall in Spain during March and April did not put an end to the water deficit. In fact, the total precipitation for the recently concluded hydrological year remains well below normal levels.
From October 1 to May 24, the hydrological year has delivered 393 liters per square meter across Spain, about 22% below the seasonal average. This ranks as the driest such period in the last ten years, underscoring a persistent moisture shortfall despite late-winter and spring rain.
Observers note a notable uptick in precipitation during March and April, following an exceptionally dry winter. May, up to the 24th, was generally dry as well, according to Rubén Del Campo, a spokesperson for the State Meteorology Agency (Aemet), in remarks relayed by Efe. While there was some improvement, the month did not bring widespread rainfall sufficient to erase the deficit.
Del Campo highlighted that rainfall in most regions fell below half the normal levels for May. There were exceptions: the eastern band of Andalusia experienced rains that exceeded the average, driven by a storm at the month’s start that affected the Community of Valencia, the Region of Murcia, and the Balearic Islands. These pockets of higher precipitation helped offset local deficits but did not alter the broader national trend.
When looking at the average precipitation since the start of the hydrological year, the trend remains below normal across most of the Peninsula and the Canary Islands. Some western coastal areas were outside this pattern, yet many locales reported values not reaching even 75 percent of their long-term normal levels. The general picture shows widespread moisture shortfalls across much of the region, with only scattered zones recording above-average totals.
Conversely, there are regions where rainfall exceeded the norm. A corridor stretching from the provinces of Toledo and Cuenca along the Cantabrian coast through parts of eastern Asturias to Navarra, as well as zones in the southern half of Aragon and southern Madrid, displayed higher-than-average totals. Notably, the Balearic Islands, the north of Mallorca, and portions of Catalonia and the Canary Islands showed localized anomalies that stood out against the broader deficit.
Of particular significance is the Levante area, extending from Almería and Granada to the Ebro Valley. In several sectors along the coasts of Valencia and Alicante, precipitation doubled the 1981-2010 period average. While these bursts of rain offered relief to certain communities, they were unevenly distributed and did not transform national water balance metrics.
In summary, while March and April delivered meaningful rainfall in parts of the country, the overall hydrological picture remains characterized by dryness. The months ahead will determine whether these singular rain events can accumulate into a more stable trend that supports reservoir levels and agricultural needs, or whether the deficit will persist through the year.
Notes: ongoing monitoring and ongoing assessments are carried out by Aemet and associated meteorological services to adjust forecasts and water management plans as conditions evolve.
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