Spain is on the brink of brutal flooding this week as its typically sun-drenched streets are drenched in record-breaking rainfall, leading to widespread transport cancellations that are sure to cause headaches for Britons enjoying a late-summer getaway.
Madrid’s mayor on Sunday advised all residents to stay home as the capital braced for torrential rain and storms that hit several parts of Spain.
National weather agency AEMET has issued a maximum red alert, which means possible extreme danger in the region of Madrid, the province of Toledo and the city of Cadiz.
It was said that up to 120 liters per square meter of rain could fall in Madrid in 12 hours, breaking the previous record for rainfall there of 87 liters per square meter set in 1972.
It comes as Britain faces a heat wave this week, as a weather map shows temperatures could reach 29 degrees Celsius today.
After a somewhat gloomy summer, the beginning of autumn makes up for this, with the mercury forecast rising to 32 degrees Celsius by mid-week.
People have been told to stay home to avoid being hit by severe flooding that has already damaged major roads and bridges
Emergency services prepare to evacuate a stranded driver
Cars are stranded on a flooded road, after heavy rain in Toledo, Spain, September 4, 2023
A car is stranded on a flooded road after heavy rain in Toledo, Spain September 4, 2023
A man in his home flooded by the rain, on September 3, 2023, in Les Cases d’Alcanar, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
Rescue workers wade through the rushing water to help stranded residents
Flooding was seen sweeping through a town in Spain last night
Madrid’s mayor on Sunday advised all residents to stay home as the capital braced for torrential rain and storms that hit several parts of Spain
Meanwhile, the beach and promenade in Bournemouth, Dorset, were packed yesterday afternoon as Britain enjoys a heat wave in September
A family enjoys the warm weather in Bradford, West Yorkshire, on Sunday as Britain’s temperature is expected to climb into the mid-30s this week
View of a flooded road in Villanueva de Bogas, Toledo, Spain September 3, 2023
The street flooded by the rain, on September 3, 2023, in Les Cases d’Alcanar, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
Forecasts of heavy rainfall in central Spain prompted authorities to suspend transport, cancel major sporting events and order millions of people to stay at home.
Spain’s state rail authority said service between Madrid and the eastern coastal area of Valencia – one of the country’s largest and most visited – has been suspended until further notice, along with several other lines.
Pedro Ruiz of Madrid’s emergency services said the city has activated protocols to prepare for flooding.
The agency said it sent text messages to Madrid residents with instructions to stay at home and avoid using cars as the floods would overtake the streets.
Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida called on people to stay off the streets to help emergency services move with greater speed during what he said would be “an exceptional and truly rare situation in terms of precipitation.” are.
Meanwhile, the Spanish football league said it has postponed Atletico Madrid’s home game against Sevilla after considering the weather service’s warnings and the recommendation of Madrid’s municipal government.
The harsh weather continues after Spanish beach resorts were punished by flooding and strong winds last week.
The island of Mallorca experienced hurricane-force winds in excess of 120km/h as stunned holidaymakers shared footage of tourists seeking shelter as sun loungers flew over pools and beaches.
Severe warnings were issued in the holiday hotspots of Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera, and more than 100 flights were canceled or diverted in Palma, Ibiza and Menorca due to high winds and rain.
The heavy rains come after Spain endured an intense heat wave and persistently high temperatures in August.
Now Britain is looking forward to sunnier forecasts.
The Met Office says a jet stream – which has brought largely unsettled weather to Britain – continues to move north, potentially raising pressure across the country.
Chris Bulmer, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, said ‘fine and stable conditions will emerge and we will see an increase in temperatures in most parts of Britain this week.
Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida called on people to stay off the streets to help emergency services move with greater speed during what he said was expected to be “an exceptional and truly rare situation in terms of precipitation ‘
Cars are stuck on a highway in Spain amid heavy flooding
In the municipality of Santa Barbara, the river has flowed through the city center, flooding garages and the ground floors of homes
Rescue workers bring stranded residents to safety
People enjoy the warm weather on a punting trip on the River Cam in Cambridge on Sunday
There were queues to get to the pier on Bournemouth beach
“In many places, we can expect maximum temperatures to rise to 25 degrees Celsius or higher for several days, which could push some locations into the realm of heat wave conditions.
‘Although the highest temperatures are likely to be in the south and east of England, these areas also have higher temperature thresholds for heat wave conditions.
“So while some areas may just be missing the actual definition, many areas, regardless of thresholds, will enjoy a fair weather period with plenty of sunshine and for many, temperatures are likely to be at their highest since June or early July.”
“Most places will see wall-to-wall sun by mid-week, something we haven’t seen for most of the summer,” said Amy Bokota, the Met Office’s senior operational meteorologist.
“It will feel warmer than we would expect at the beginning of autumn, especially in London and the South East, where the heat wave threshold could be reached.
“But it will also feel humid and stuffy in some areas, with temperatures in parts of the country staying above 20 degrees at night, creating uncomfortable sleeping conditions.”