The weather in Spain is about to take a serious turn. A storm named Nuria, officially recognized by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) is heading straight for the country. This isn’t just a little rain; we’re talking about heavy downpours, powerful gusts of wind, and a noticeable drop in temperatures across the peninsula and the Canary Islands.

When Will Storm Nuria Arrive and What to Expect:

AEMET says the main impact of Nuria will be felt starting Thursday, April 3, with the western parts of Spain taking the brunt of the storm. However, even before that, on Wednesday, expect thunderstorms to pop up in the northern and northeastern regions.

Where Will Storm Nuria Hit the Hardest?

• The Western Peninsula:
  • This area is going to see the heaviest rainfall. Places like Galicia, western Castilla y León, Extremadura, and the western part of Andalucía could see over 50-60 liters of rain per square meter.
  • Provinces such as Teruel, Zaragoza, Burgos, Soria, Palencia, and La Rioja are under yellow alerts. This means they should be prepared for strong, localized rain and thunderstorms.
  • Also, the central areas of the peninsula, including Madrid and Castilla la Mancha, will see heavy rain.
  • As we move into Friday, the rain will spread eastward, affecting the Sierra de Madrid, the Iberian System (mountains in central-east Spain), and the Pyrenees. Expect totals of 30-50mm of rain in these locations.
  • The Ebro valley will also be affected, but the rain will be more spotty.
• The Canary Islands:
  • The Canaries are also in for a rough time. La Palma, Tenerife, and Gran Canaria will experience significant rainfall and strong winds.
  • La Palma is under a red alert, the highest level, due to hurricane-force winds that could exceed 130 km/h.
  • The rest of the archipelago is under orange and yellow alerts for intense winds and rough seas, with waves expected to reach 4-5 meters.
  • The west side of La Palma will be especially affected.
  • School has been canceled for Thursday in Tenerife, La Palma, and La Graciosa.

🔴 AVISO ROJO | Este de La Palma

⚠️La borrasca Nuria dejará rachas de viento huracanadas, superiores a los 130 km/h, entre las 5 y 17 horas (hora canaria) del jueves, 3 de abril. Probabilidad 40-70%.

El peligro es extraordinario. ¡Mucha precaución! pic.twitter.com/iamld7wEKC

— AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) April 2, 2025

The Nitty-Gritty Details of Nuria

Storm Nuria’s arrival will bring a significant soaking across the entire country. Expect widespread rain, with the heaviest downpours focused in the west, where the western Central System, particularly the north of Cáceres and the south of Ávila, could see over 100mm of rain.

Galicia, western Andalucía, and parts of the Iberian System will likely experience 50-60mm, while the rest of the country should brace for 20-40mm. Alongside the rain, strong winds from the south-southwest will sweep across the region.

In the Canary Islands, wind gusts could reach a powerful 70-120 km/h, with even higher speeds anticipated in La Palma. On the peninsula, expect gusts of 70-90 km/h, especially in exposed areas of the Cantabrian Mountains, the Central System, and western Andalucía. The sea will also become very rough.

Adding to the challenging conditions, temperatures are set to drop significantly, especially in the northeastern peninsula. Cities like A Coruña and Lugo in Galicia will see temperatures fall from highs of 18°C to around 15°C, and inland cities such as Valladolid and Burgos will also experience a notable temperature decrease. Finally, be prepared for thunderstorms in many areas, particularly in the western peninsula and the Ebro Valley, and there’s also a chance of hail in some locations.

La #borrascaNuria va a regar de agua el mapa de España desde este miércoles hasta el viernes 💧

Las lluvias más importantes pueden dejar más de 100 mm en el oeste del sistema Central y las rachas pueden ser huracanadas en Canarias. pic.twitter.com/59GM8puy5x

— Eltiempo.es (@ElTiempoes) April 2, 2025

What You Should Do:

• Stay updated on the latest weather in Spain by following the forecasts from AEMET. They’re the experts, and things can change quickly.
• Be prepared for heavy rain, strong winds, and possible thunderstorms.
• If you’re in an area under an alert, take it seriously.
• Avoid unnecessary travel, especially in the Canaries, where conditions will be particularly dangerous.
• Keep an eye on official announcements from your local authorities.
• If you are in the canaries, keep up to date with the local councils announcements, as well as the governments.

Main image: Pexels/Victor Moragriega