February 7, 2024.- The General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior, according to the predictions of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), warns by storm of strong winds on land and sea, as well as abundant rainfall during the coming days. However, the difficult prognosis of these phenomena makes it advisable to remain informed at all times of the possible evolution of meteorological changes.
According to AEMET, in the last hours of today Wednesday, February 7, the first effects of the Karlotta borrasca are expected on the Galician coastlines, with very strong winds from the southwest, as well as the first precipitations.
Tomorrow, Thursday, February 8, the rainfall will spread to the western half of the peninsula and the western Pyrenees, although it is expected to be more intense and above all persistent in Galicia. Regarding the wind, this day the most affected area will be the northwest peninsular quadrant with very strong gusts in large areas, but which will be especially intense in the Cantabrian mountain range and in Galicia where it could exceed 100 km/h, with a strong maritime storm on the Galician coasts. Very strong races are also expected in other mountainous systems of the Peninsula, such as the Pyrenees, the Iberian system, the Central system and at the end of the day in the Betics systems.
On Friday, February 9, rainfall will be generalized to almost the entire Peninsula, affecting also the Balearic Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and the north of the Canary Islands. The accumulated majors are expected again in Galicia, but also in the southwestern peninsular quadrant and in the Pyrenees. The rainfall will be weaker and less likely in the Cantabrian area, northeast and southeast peninsular extremes, Balearic and Canary Islands. The wind in the northwestern peninsular quadrant and in the rest of the mountain systems will gradually lose intensity, although there will still be very strong gusts during the first half of this day, especially in the Cantabrian mountain range and in the Pyrenees. On the contrary, the wind will rise in the south, with probable very strong streaks of west on the shores of Andalusia, both Atlantic and Mediterranean, as well as in Ceuta, with the consequent coastal storm in the Gulf of Cadiz, Strait and Alboran Sea. With high uncertainty it can also affect the Balearic Islands, being more likely in the Pitiusan islands.
On Saturday, February 10, although the rainfall will lose intensity and will tend to rebound, they are still expected in the Cantabrian area, half this peninsular, Ceuta, Melilla and the Balearic Islands, more likely and intense during the first half of the day. As for the wind, on the one hand, a closure will be established in the Ebro Valley and Tramontana in Ampurdán, with probable very strong winds. On the other hand, the maritime storm in Alborán will continue and will also extend to the Mediterranean, with probable very strong gusts of west wind on the shores of eastern Andalusia, Melilla, mountains of the southeast of the peninsula and in the Balearic Islands.
The recommendations of the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies in the face of adverse weather events, as well as infographics of self-protection measures, can be found and used in https://www.proteccioncivil.es/coordinacion/gestion-de-riesgos/autoproteccion.
Recommendations for coastal winds
- If you are in maritime areas, try to get away from the beach and other low places that may be affected by the high tides and waves that are usually generated by the intensity of strong winds
- It is recommended to avoid parking vehicles in areas that may be affected by the waves
- In these situations, the sea acquires extraordinary conditions and can drag it
- Don’t put your life at risk to capture images of the strong waves
Recommendations for strong winds
- It is advisable to secure doors, windows and all those objects that can fall onto the public highway and move away from cornices, trees, walls or buildings under construction or cranes that can be detached
- Also, it is advisable to refrain from climbing the scaffolds without adequate protective measures
- If you are driving, extreme the precautions, especially in the exit of tunnels, overtaking and crossing with heavy vehicles on two-way roads. Pay attention to the possible presence of obstacles on the road
Recommendations for heavy rains
- If you’re driving, slow down, take precautions, and don’t stop in areas where a lot of water can flow.
- If you have to travel, try to travel preferably on main roads and highways.
- In case of sudden storms and heavy rains, the place where the vehicles are parked should be taken into account. The rapid rise in water levels can damage vehicles parked in flood zones and, in addition, drag them, causing damage to other people’s property and even hindering the natural flow of water.
- If it starts to rain torrentially, think that there is a risk of flooding
- Do not drive through the flooded sections with your vehicle or on foot, because you do not know what may be underwater and locate the highest points in the area. Don’t try to save your car in the middle of a flood
- If you are in the countryside, you have to get away from the rivers, torrents and low areas of slopes and hills, avoiding crossing flooded voids. Likewise, you should head to the highest points of the zon