Extreme rainfall breaks records
The Catalan Meteorological Service (Meteocat) recorded up to 288 litres per square metre in Vilassar de Mar by 10:00 this morning, the highest total in a single event since records began 39 years ago. Other areas in the Maresme, Vallès Oriental and Barcelonès regions saw accumulations exceeding 200 litres per square metre, with 253.9 in Mataró-Can Canyelles and 247.9 in Granollers.
Urban flooding and transport disruption
In Malgrat de Mar, three coaches and around 30 cars were submerged in a car park due to flash flooding. The Raval district of Barcelona received 193 litres per square metre, while Can Bruixa recorded 213, marking the city’s wettest day in at least two decades. Localised downpours saw 3.4 litres fall in one minute in Raval, and 36.1 in half an hour.
"This episode goes down in the history of Meteocat's climate records," said Meteocat director Sarai Sarroca.
Storm system with 'tropical characteristics'
Sarroca noted that rainfall intensities, such as 68 litres per square metre in half an hour in Granollers, suggest the disturbance has "tropicalised" characteristics. The system, fed by warm Mediterranean waters and sustained by easterly winds, is classified as a mesoscale convective system, not a medican or minihurricane, despite initial speculation. Santi Segalà, head of forecasting at Meteocat, confirmed the event was not over by midday, with risks shifting to Girona and northern Barcelona. While the main system will dissipate over the sea in the afternoon, isolated heavy showers are expected to continue.
Longer-term outlook
A mass of air of probable tropical origin remains over the region and is expected to persist until next week. Meteocat maintains a forecast of scattered downpours across the coming week, with the potential for further localised flooding.
Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor updates via the Meteocat official website and local emergency services for road closures and safety alerts.
Primary sources: idescat.cat. Reported by emporda.info, Regió 7, tiempo.com, lavanguardia.com, EXPANSIÓN, diaridetarragona.com, capgros.elnacional.cat, Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya. Generalitat de Catalunya, L'Empordà.
