Archive image: Windshield of a car severely damaged by hailstorm next to a photograph of a man’s hands holding large hailstones. Spain On Hail Storm Watch: AEMET issues rare alert as ‘hellish heat’ and monster hail roll in.Credit: luca pbl, Shutterstock
Brace yourself, Spain: the skies are about to turn nasty. The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has sounded the alarm as an extraordinary cocktail of soaring heat and violent storms crashes into the peninsula, sending temperatures rocketing towards 40°C while unleashing hail the size of marbles. And experts are calling it anything but normal.
‘We are looking at an extremely unusual combination of severe heat and intense storm activity across large parts of Spain,’ warned meteorologist Roberto Brasero, who didn’t mince his words when he added: ‘We could see conditions we rarely experience.’
Hailstorm warning in Spain: Protect your car from costly damage
Hail is expected mainly in the most eastern parts of the country and in the far north, according to AEMET’s latest forecast. But car owners, take note: this isn’t just another summer scorcher. The violent hailstorms set to batter Spain in the coming days pose a serious threat to vehicles left exposed. Experts are warning that the hailstones could cause costly damage to car roofs, windscreens and bodywork, turning your prized motor into an expensive repair job in minutes.
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
For now, much of the country still basks under deceptively clear skies. But don’t be fooled. AEMET’s forecast points to rapidly deteriorating conditions from today, Thursday, June 19, particularly in the afternoons, as thunderheads boil up over the interior. The agency’s bulletin spells it out: ‘Abundant convective cloud development will bring showers and thunderstorms across wide inland areas, locally accompanied by hail and very strong gusts.’
In short: expect scorching sun one minute, flying ice pellets and howling winds the next.
Where the worst will hit
The danger zones read like a tour map of Spain:
- ORANGE ALERT (serious risk):
- Alava (Basque Country)
- Ribera del Ebro and La Iberica Riojana (La Rioja)
- Gudar and Maestrazgo (Teruel)
- Burgos (Castilla y Leon)
- Zaragoza and Huesca (Aragon)
- Sevilla, Cordoba and Jaen (Andalucia)
- YELLOW ALERT (moderate risk): dozens more provinces including Madrid, Navarra, Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, Catalonia, Extremadura and almost the entire northern coastline.
This means roughly 37 provinces are now officially under some level of warning.
Hellish glorious heat returns
As if giant hail wasn’t enough, the mercury is exploding too. Sevilla looks set to lead the charge with a blistering 40°C, closely followed by Cordoba, Granada and Zaragoza hovering around 39°C. Even typically milder areas like the Cantabrian coast are forecast to see temperatures climbing above 34°C.
‘It’s a dangerous mix,’ AEMET officials cautioned. ‘Prolonged heat waves combined with unstable air masses can amplify storm severity.’ Translation? Buckle up.
Nighttime provides little relief
Sadly, this isn’t one of those spells where you can simply wait it out until sunset. Minimum night-time temperatures are expected to stay stubbornly high in many regions, making it difficult for vulnerable groups to recover from the punishing daytime heat.
Meanwhile, western Galicia and parts of the southeast may briefly enjoy slightly cooler nights — but elsewhere, the hot blanket stays firmly in place.
The dust factor: Calima complicates it all.
Adding yet another twist, Saharan dust clouds (known locally as ‘calima’) are drifting into western parts of Spain and the Canary Islands, muddying the skies and turning rain into a dirty, muddy mess.
Wind warnings
And if you’re hoping for a breeze to bring relief — be careful what you wish for. Levante winds will whip through the Strait of Gibraltar, while the Canary Islands brace for strong trade winds. Inland, expect swirling east-to-south gusts that may suddenly pick up strength, especially as thunderstorms erupt.
Experts sound the alarm.
The message is clear: this is not your average summer hiccup. This is a full-blown clash of seasons, with freakishly hot tropical air colliding with cooler upper layers to unleash nature’s fury.
Spain’s health authorities have already activated heat risk protocols, especially in northern zones like Aragon where hospitals are preparing for a spike in heat-related illnesses.
Final word: Stay safe
With so many regions under warning, authorities urge the public to stay informed via AEMET updates and local emergency services. Outdoor events, farmers, and even tourists hitting Spain’s famous beaches are being told to monitor forecasts closely and drink alcohol in moderation, particularly during the day.
The bottom line? Spain is heading into a volatile and dangerous stretch of summer weather. Expect searing sun, flying hail, dirty rain, and sudden violent storms — all within hours of each other.
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