Video: @meteocat / X
Red and orange alerts issued for heavy rain
The Catalan Meteorological Service (Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya) has upgraded weather warnings to red level for three coastal comarques, Selva, Maresme and Vallès Oriental, starting Saturday 17 October 2026. Orange-level rain alerts have also been activated for surrounding areas including Barcelonès, Gironès, Garrotxa, Osona, Bages, Berguedà and Vallès Occidental. These warnings follow updated forecast models showing intense downpours could deliver up to 40 litres of rain per hour over 30-minute periods. Total accumulations may exceed 250 litres per square metre in the worst-hit areas.
Flash flood risk prompts civil protection response
Authorities urge extreme caution as the situation may lead to renewed flooding risks.
Protecció Civil has reactivated its contingency plan in response to the heightened threat. Residents in affected areas are advised to take precautions, especially as the risk of flash flooding increases. Two types of rainfall alerts are currently active: one based on intensity over 30 minutes and another for cumulative rainfall over three hours. According to thresholds published by meteo.cat, an orange alert is triggered when rainfall exceeds 20mm in 30 minutes or 60mm in three hours, while red warnings require thresholds of 40mm in 30 minutes or 90mm in three hours.
Wider Mediterranean region at risk
The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued a special information notice indicating that the weather event will affect the Mediterranean strip, particularly the Catalan, Valencian, Murcian and Balearic coastlines. The system is expected to intensify through Sunday 18 October and Monday 19 October. Rain and storm warnings have also been activated in Andalusia, Aragon, Castile and León, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Galicia, Murcia and Valencia. The Balearic Islands will join the alert zone from Sunday, with models suggesting adverse conditions will persist throughout the day.
Reported by Regió 7, Diari de Girona, meteo.cat, 3cat.cat, rtve.es, elnacional.cat, laciutat.cat, Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya. Generalitat de Catalunya, metropoliabierta.cat, El Periódico (CA).
