Spain is bracing for heavy rain in the coming days, thanks to what is being called ‘an atmospheric river’ sweeping in from the Atlantic. Though Hurricane Isaac has weakened, it has helped set the stage for this weather event, which is expected to drench parts of the country.

Ex-Hurricane Isaac Opens the Floodgates

While ex-Hurricane Isaac won’t directly affect Spain, it has helped pave the way for storms. As Isaac continues to weaken over the colder waters of the North Atlantic, it’s allowing a series of moisture-laden systems to move toward Spain. The first to feel the impact will be Galicia, where rain will start and then spread across the northern regions of Spain.

When and Where Will It Rain?

Wednesday looks set to be the wettest day this week. Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country will be hit first, with rain later moving into Castilla y León, La Rioja, and Navarra. Weather warnings are in place for these areas, with potential downpours of up to 15 mm in just one hour.

By Thursday, the rain will push into Aragón, Cataluña, Madrid, and parts of the Mediterranean, including the Balearic Islands and northern Valencia. The rain could intensify as it reaches these regions, with conditions expected to remain unsettled until the end of the week.

The Cordonazo de San Francisco Tradition

This week’s rain also happens to coincide with a well-known weather myth in Spain—el Cordonazo de San Francisco (the lash of Saint Francis). This saying refers to the sudden storms that are believed to arrive around October 4th, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The term cordonazo translates to ‘lash’ or ‘whip,’ symbolizing how these storms seem to hit out of nowhere, like a sudden strike. While this belief doesn’t have any scientific grounding, it’s a piece of folklore that has stuck around, particularly in Spain and some Spanish-speaking countries. According to the myth, Saint Francis of Assisi, known for his connection to nature, is thought to bring balance by sending these intense rainstorms. It’s more of a cultural nod than a weather forecast, but it adds an interesting layer to the rainy week ahead.

What’s Next?

Although the worst of the rain should pass by the weekend, some regions in Spain could still experience showers into Friday. By then, the weather is expected to calm down, but the ‘atmospheric river’ may bring one final round of rain before the skies clear.

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Image: Pexels/Ioana Motoc