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Storm Leonardo brings 'extraordinary danger' warnings across AndalucÃa
Aemet issues red and orange alerts for torrential rain and fierce winds as saturated soils heighten flood risks
Andalucía is bracing for what could be one of the most intense rainfall events in recent years, with Storm Leonardo ushering in a series of Atlantic fronts and a very wet atmospheric river. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has activated numerous warnings across the region on Wednesday, including alerts for “extraordinary danger,” due to very persistent rainfall, strong wind gusts and adverse coastal conditions. Soils are already soaked after weeks of unstable weather, raising the chances of river flooding, overflows and flash floods, particularly in mountainous areas and river basins.The President of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, has now announced the suspension of in-person classes for Wednesday throughout the region except Almería province. This follows the Emergency Plan Advisory Committee meeting to assess the storm and coordinate safety measures, prioritising the educational community. Online classes will continue in affected provinces to maintain teaching continuity during the adverse weather. Almería is excluded as it faces less severe rain and wind.
The most critical area is Grazalema in Cádiz province, where Aemet has put out a red alert for heavy rain and extreme danger. Up to 140mm of rain could fall in just 12 hours there, with over 200 litres per square metre possible in 24 hours, and totals nearing 240mm in the most exposed spots. Various levels of alert are active across the province, for intense rainfall within one hour and westerly wind gusts of up to 70 km/h.
The province of Cádiz faces the biggest overall hit, with orange alerts in the countryside and Strait of Gibraltar for 100mm of rain in 12 hours and over 150 litres in a day. Wind gusts could reach 90 to 100 km/h on the coast and Strait, alongside significant coastal effects from southwest winds of 62 to 74 km/h (force 8).
Málaga is also among the highest-risk provinces, with an orange alert for heavy rain in Ronda expecting 100 litres in 12 hours and over 150 in 24. Yellow alerts for rain and wind with gusts up to 80 km/h cover Antequera, Ronda, Sol, Guadalhorce and Axarquía, plus adverse coastal conditions along the Málaga coast.
In Almería, Granada and Málaga, orange alerts focus on coastal phenomena. Almería's coast could see west and southwest winds of 60 to 75 km/h (force 8) and waves of 4 to 5 metres, with yellow alerts for up to 40 litres in 12 hours and gusts to 80 km/h. Granada's coast faces similar maritime storms.
Yellow warnings for rain and wind affect Seville, Huelva, Córdoba and Jaén. Up to 60 litres in 12 hours are possible in Córdoba's Subbética, Jaén's Cazorla and Segura, and Jaén city. Huelva's Aracena, Andévalo, Condado and coast could see 40 litres in 12 hours with gusts to 70 km/h, while Seville's countryside has a yellow alert until mid-afternoon for 15 litres per hour and 60 in 12 hours, especially in the south.
Wednesday looks set to be the worst day, with very active fronts and persistent rain, continuing into Thursday and possibly the weekend. Temperatures will generally rise despite the storm, with highs around 20 degrees in some areas and lows near 14 degrees. Authorities urge extreme caution, avoiding dry riverbeds and flood-prone spots, and staying tuned to official warnings, as Leonardo's position could shift affected areas.
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Images: Aemet
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