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This week's forecast described autumn arriving with a bang across Spain and this weekend the unsettled spell shows no sign of relenting. The focus shifts eastwards this time. Where the week's drama was largely an Atlantic and northern affair, this weekend it's the Mediterranean coast, and Valencia and Castellón in particular, that find themselves in the firing line.

 

 

October opens with an Atlantic front still trailing across the north, bringing very cloudy skies and rain from the Cantabrian coast in the morning through to the northeast by the afternoon. Elsewhere, partly cloudy skies give way to developing thunderstorms in the eastern interior during the afternoon, potentially spreading towards central Spain by the end of the day. In Valencia, Castellón and neighbouring parts of southern Tarragona and northern Alicante, storms push towards the coast with the risk of torrential downpours. Mist and fog are possible around the Strait of Gibraltar and northern upland areas. Winds are moderate, northerly and north-westerly on the Atlantic coasts, easterly on the Mediterranean side.

 

 

The instability continues and, if anything, intensifies. Cold air aloft and abundant Mediterranean moisture keep conditions very unsettled across the peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Afternoon cloud development inland brings a fresh round of showers and thunderstorms, locally very heavy in Castilla-La Mancha, the southeastern mountain ranges and the Balearic Islands. Warnings remain in force for Catalonia, the Valencian Community and Castilla-La Mancha, with Valencia and Castellón facing another serious overnight risk of torrential rain. Temperatures fall in the southeastern half of the country and rise in the northwest. Winds predominantly easterly along the coast, with strong gusts possible along the Galician coast.

 

 

Cold air aloft keeps the northern half of the peninsula particularly unsettled, with overnight storm remnants lingering into the morning and a fresh round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms inland. The southeast fares better, with showers less likely there, but the general picture across Spain remains cloudy and active. Mist and fog persist around the Strait and northern upland areas. Temperatures continue falling in the southeast and rising in the northwest. Easterly coastal winds, occasionally strong.

 

 

An upper-level low keeps the pattern firmly in place. Cloud and showers affect much of the peninsula, most likely inland, with the east clearing through the morning. The southeast sees the least activity. Temperatures rise in the north and fall in the southwest, with strong easterly winds possible along the Mediterranean, Balearic and Strait of Gibraltar coasts. The Canary Islands stay calm throughout.

 

 

A weekend to keep a close eye on official warnings, particularly if you're in or near the Valencian Community. The east of Spain is carrying the most serious risk, and that situation warrants close attention through to at least Monday.

 

For more weather news go to our Weather & Climate page or follow the Spain Weather Watch Facebook group for regular updates

Images: Archive / Aemet