Catalonia on red alert: a 'Mediterranean mini-hurricane' expected with torrential rain

Over 200 millimeters of rain expected in a few hours in coastal and inland areas. The authorities have declared a red alert in 17 districts and urged the population to exercise maximum caution

Catalonia is preparing to face a wave of bad weather which, according to meteorological authorities, could take on the characteristics of a "Mediterranean mini-hurricane". An intense disturbed phase is expected for the next few hours with torrential rain, strong gusts of wind and possible extreme phenomena.

Over 200 millimeters of rain expected

The Catalan Civil Protection and the Meteocat meteorological service have issued a red alert in seventeen districts. Forecasts indicate accumulations of more than 200 millimeters of rain over six hours, with the risk of tornadoes and waterspouts. Experts warn that the situation could quickly escalate into an exceptional event.

The areas most at risk

The most exposed areas are the coastal ones and the immediate hinterland of the provinces of Tarragona, Barcelona and Girona. In the next few hours the bad weather could also extend to the internal areas of the province of Girona. To inform the population, Civil Protection will send an alert message to mobile phones in the afternoon through the Es-Alert system.

Emergency monitoring

According to Meteocat, weather models indicate the possible formation of a mesoscale convective system, which could fuel significant atmospheric conditions. Particular attention is paid to the disturbance that has already hit the south of the Iberian peninsula in the last few hours, especially the areas of Murcia and Albacete, and which is heading towards the north-east.

Catalan President: "It's not a joke, maximum caution"

Catalan President Salvador Illa urged citizens to exercise "maximum caution". "It's not a joke," he warned, speaking at a Catalan Socialist Party event. In the afternoon Illa will chair a monitoring meeting of the Inuncat flood plan, at the headquarters of the Interior Department, to follow the evolution of the bad weather.