Spain is bracing for a complex weather system as autumn storm claudia brings a combination of saharan dust, known as calima, and heavy rainfall, creating the potential for “mud rain” - or lluvias de barro - across parts of the contry.
The AEMET, SpainS national weather service, reports that storm Claudia is expected to remain over or near the Iberian Peninsula for an extended period. This will maintain a southerly airflow drawing in dust from the Sahara while simultaneously delivering increased precipitation, particularly to southern and western regions. Where dust and rain coincide, the resulting droplets will wash the dust from the air, forming muddy rainwater.
Cloud cover is increasing in southern regions like Andalusia, with showers possible from midweek, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms. Temperatures will initially rise with the warm winds before falling from friday night. A warning is in effect for coastal areas, including the Costa del Sol, where up to sixty liters of rain per square meter are forecast within twelve hours, and twenty liters per hour. The presence of dust may further reduce visibility.
Strong winds are also impacting northern and western Spain,with gusts exceeding eighty kilometers per hour reported and over 140 incidents recorded in some areas.
This combination of wind, rain, calima, and stormy conditions presents a challenging situation. Beyond the volume of precipitation, the presence of dust reduces visibility and creates dangerously slippery road conditions due to the muddy rainwater.
Residents and visitors in Spain are advised to monitor the local weather forecast closely. during heavy showers, it is indeed recommended to remain indoors and avoid parking vehicles under trees or unstable structures. Drivers should exercise extreme caution, as muddy rainwater considerably reduces grip and visibility. individuals with respiratory issues should be particularly vigilant due to the degraded air quality caused by the Sahara dust.
