Spain is braced for the back end of a hurricane that could bring stormy conditions over the weekend, but this comes as meteorologists forecast a rebounding in temperatures above 30C in some parts of the country.
An Atlantic hurricane could bring stormy conditions to Spain this weekend, just as meteorologists forecasts a return of summer-like temperatures in some parts of the country.
Hurricane Gabrielle is currently in the Atlantic advancing towards the Azores and could approach the Iberian Peninsula in the next few days.
However, it will not arrive as a hurricane. Before it reaches Spain, it will lose its tropical character and become a storm.
The latest forecasts suggest Gabrielle will pass the Azores archipelago between Thursday night and Friday morning, 26 September, maintaining Category 1 hurricane strength.
The remnants of Gabrielle could then arrive in Spain from Sunday 28 September, opening the door to storm conditions in parts of the country. State broadcaster RTVE reports that this could bring sea swells at first, then strong winds in exposed areas and rain fronts, especially in the western regions between Sunday and Monday.
However, these types of ‘ex-tropical’ weather systems are very difficult to forecast. The latest models indicate that wind speeds will increase between Saturday and Sunday but there’s no certainty that the stormy weather will make landfall.
If it does, the first showers are expected on Sunday, mainly in Extremadura and western Andalusia.
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On Monday rain could intensify across the southern regions and may also reach the Mediterranean coast.
However, despite hurricanes and possible stormy weather, temperatures in some parts of the country could actually rise. The state weather agency (Aemet) anticipates that Spain will see temperatures increase over the next few days, with higher maximum temperatures than usual for this time of year.
A large part of the country is expected to record clear skies and summerlike heat, which in some areas of the south could exceed 30C.
Maximum temperatures will begin to rise moderately from Thursday in most of the country, except in the Canary Islands, the south and the extreme northeast, where they will remain stable.