Strong storms approaching from the west on Wednesday
A DANA—a high-altitude isolated depression—will approach the western Iberian Peninsula tomorrow, triggering severe thunderstorms across northern and northeastern Spain. Tuesday, June 10, will mark the start of a turbulent weather episode, with unstable air, surface wind convergence, and orographic effects fueling the growth of towering convective clouds.
These storms are expected to intensify rapidly as the DANA’s core gets closer, particularly in the afternoon and early evening hours. Thunderstorm cells will unleash large hailstones, frequent lightning, and gusty winds, especially in the northern part of Castilla y León, Asturias, Cantabria, Basque Country, Navarra, La Rioja, northern Catalonia, and the Ebro Valley.
High lightning density and fire risk
The electrical activity will increase noticeably throughout the day, with lightning strikes becoming widespread by midday and gradually declining overnight. Although precipitation may remain localized and scattered, the storm structure will be more organized than it is today.
In southern Spain, storms will be less frequent but the fire risk remains heightened due to the intense lightning activity combined with dry surface conditions.
High risk of large hail and downbursts
Tomorrow brings an elevated threat of large hail—potentially over 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter—in the submeseta norte, inland Basque Country, Navarra, parts of the Ebro Basin, and around the Iberian System.
Downbursts—also known as reventones or esclafits—are expected as well. These are violent downdrafts of cold air crashing to the ground from storm clouds, capable of producing damaging straight-line winds. Areas particularly vulnerable include Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, La Rioja, Basque Country, Aragón, Catalonia, and Navarra, where wind gusts could surpass 55 mph (90 km/h), potentially causing localized damage.
AEMET issues warnings in 9 regions
Due to the forecasted intensity of these storms, AEMET has activated yellow and orange alerts across nine Spanish autonomous communities for Tuesday, June 10. An orange level warning has been issued for the Pyrenees of Girona, the Pre-Pyrenees of Barcelona, and interior Biscay, driven by the high risk of large hail and violent wind bursts.
Other affected regions under weather alerts include Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Navarra, Aragón, Castilla y León, and La Rioja.
This will be a very irregular situation, with severe thunderstorms popping up quickly and intensely over localized areas, which is typical of this type of summer convective activity.
