Barcelona is bracing for extreme weather this weekend. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) and the Catalan Meteorological Service (Meteocat) are forecasting episodes of heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout Catalonia, with particular attention to coastal and near-coastal areas.
The intensity of the storm will depend on where this cold air mass (DANA) ultimately discharges its rain, although current forecasts indicate that rainfall could reach between 150 and 300 liters per square meter in some areas. Of particular concern are episodes of torrential rain, which in coastal areas could exceed 40 l/m² in 30 minutes, causing flooding and the collapse of the sewer system.
As a preventive measure, meteorological services have issued a red alert for the Maresme, Vallès Oriental, and La Selva regions on both days, with particular attention to the period between 6:00 p.m. and midnight on Saturday. Civil Protection has activated the Inuncat plan, and an orange alert has been issued for 13 counties: Barcelonès, Bages, Berguedà, Moianès, Osona, Lluçanès, Garrotxa, Pla de l’Estany, Gironès, Baix Penedès, Baix Llobregat, Garraf, and Vallès Occidental.
How long will this cold air mass last?
The weather is expected to worsen starting in the afternoon of Saturday, October 17, when thunderstorms will begin to form throughout Catalonia, with particular attention to the Barcelona metropolitan area.
However, it will be on Sunday and Monday when the rainfall reaches its peak intensity, especially in the early morning hours of Sunday the 17th. Forecast maps indicate that showers and residual rain may also occur on Tuesday the 20th.
A sharp drop in temperatures: goodbye to the summer heat
The rain event will also bring a drastic drop in temperatures and put an end to the summer heat that continues to prevail in Catalonia despite it being mid-October.
Temperatures will begin to drop on Saturday morning as a cold air mass moves in, and the drop will become more pronounced in the afternoon as the rain sets in. However, the sharpest drop in temperatures will occur on Sunday, when highs will range from 17°C to 20°C along the coast and from 14°C to 17°C inland. Lows will remain between 13 °C and 16 °C along the coast and will drop below 8 °C in some inland areas.
