Torrential rain and potentially damaging flooding are forecast for eastern Spain over the coming days. This weather pattern, known as a Dana, is fuelled by cold upper air moving over warm, humid surface air from the Mediterranean Sea, creating violent, slow-moving thunderstorms near Spain’s east coast.
Models indicate that more than 100mm of rain could fall across the region on Friday, with some areas potentially receiving 200-300mm. Cities such as Valencia and Castelló de la Plana are most at risk, with Valencia having experienced several damaging floods in recent years. Catalonia has placed three towns under lockdown, and Valencia has closed schools for nearly half a million children.