Spain Faces Severe Weather as Storm Melissa Unleashes Heavy Rain and Gale-Force Winds

A Sudden Turn in the Weather

Storm Melissa has swept into Spain, bringing with it a burst of fierce winds, pounding rain, and churning seas. The country’s meteorological agency AEMET has issued multiple weather alerts as the storm races across the Iberian Peninsula.

After a calm start to the week, skies have darkened over much of Spain. Winds began to howl early Monday, and by afternoon, rain was hammering down across the northwest coast. Meteorologists expect the worst to unfold between November 4 and 6, before the system gradually loses strength toward the weekend.

Regions Under Threat

The brunt of Melissa’s power is being felt across Andalucía, Galicia, Catalonia, and Aragon. AEMET warned that some areas could see conditions strong enough to disrupt travel and damage property.

“Keep an eye on the day tomorrow with strong storms in areas of Andalucía. Even the day after tomorrow we expect strong storms in the Catalonia area," the agency cautioned in its latest bulletin.

In Galicia’s coastal provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra, gusts are expected to reach up to 90 km/h, while mountain peaks in Asturias could see winds roaring to 110 km/h. Forecasters are also watching for rainfall totals up to 60 millimeters in just 12 hours, enough to trigger flash floods in low-lying regions.

Winds, Waves, and Flooding Risks

Seas along Spain’s northwestern coast have turned rough, with waves climbing to five or six meters in parts of Rías Baixas. South winds of 62-74 km/h are expected to batter the coastline, posing risks to small boats and fishing fleets.

• Wind: 110 km/h in the Asturias mountains, 90 km/h along A Coruña’s exposed coast.
• Rain: Up to 60 mm in 12 hours across western Galicia.
• Coastal risk: Waves reaching 5-6 meters and winds near force 8 along Rías Baixas.

Communities Brace for Disruption

In southern Spain, towns along the coast of Andalucía are preparing for possible flooding and transport delays. Residents have been urged to secure outdoor furniture, clear drainage channels, and stay indoors during the heaviest squalls.

Authorities are warning drivers to avoid mountain passes and roads near rivers as visibility drops and surfaces become slick. Power interruptions are also possible in rural areas exposed to strong gusts.

Calmer Days Ahead

The storm will begin to weaken by Friday, but its lingering rains will continue to soak northern Spain into the weekend. By then, forecasters expect the winds to ease and temperatures to slowly rise again.

For now, the sound of the wind and the rhythm of the rain dominate Spain’s autumn landscape. The week that began quietly has turned wild, as Melissa makes her presence known across the country.