Red Weather Alerts in Place for Barcelona and Girona
The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has issued red weather warnings for parts of Barcelona and Girona, forecasting extreme rainfall of over 90 litres per square metre within one hour and up to 200 litres in less than six hours. The adverse conditions are expected to peak during Saturday night and continue into the first half of Sunday, 4 October 2026. AEMET's special alert, number 33/2026, was published at 13:14 on Friday, 2 October, citing a high probability (70%) of persistent and severe thunderstorms affecting the eastern third of mainland Spain through Sunday. The situation is driven by a combination of cold air at mid-to-high altitudes and significant moisture inflow from the Mediterranean Sea.
Extreme rainfall may lead to sudden flooding and river overflows, posing extraordinary danger to life and property.
Events Cancelled Amid Safety Fears
Due to the forecasted conditions, several major public events have been suspended. The general strike demonstration called by far-left groups has been called off. Additionally, the XXX Castell Contest in Tarragona, a biennial human towers competition organised by the Ajuntament de Tarragona with support from Torredembarra’s town council, will not proceed as planned. Although Tarragona is not under the highest risk zone, authorities cited precautionary measures following AEMET’s broader regional alert that includes strong storms across the Catalan coast and pre-coastal areas. In 2019, similar meteorological conditions led to four fatalities and two people missing after flash floods overwhelmed towns in Tarragona and Lleida provinces.
Residents Urged to Stay Indoors
Emergency services across the affected regions are on high alert. Residents in low-lying areas and near rivers are advised to avoid unnecessary travel, secure outdoor items, and monitor updates via AEMET’s official warning portal. Transport disruptions are possible, particularly along coastal roads and in urban centres where drainage systems may be overwhelmed. Local councils are preparing temporary shelters and activating civil protection protocols under Spain’s National Plan for Weather Prediction and Vigilance (Plan Meteoalerta). Further updates will be issued by AEMET as the isolated DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) system develops west of the Iberian Peninsula, potentially extending stormy conditions inland.
Reported by Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, Gabriela Cuevas Tascón y Ramón Pascual Berghaenel, FAQS, Concurs´26, aemet.es, Agencia Estatal de Meteorolog�a, Agència Estatal de Meteorología, tarragona.cat, elliberal.cat.
