Bad weather alert activated for the Valencia Region
23.00, 12th September - The worst is yet to come: Red alert in almost the entire Community for tomorrow
The storm of rain and wind that hits Valencia and Alicante and that has caused the overflow of the Clariano river in Ontinyent , as well as flooding in numerous municipalities in the south of the province, could worsen even more in light of the weather forecast in Valencia prepared by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), which this morning has decreed the red alert for extreme risk of torrential rains in almost the entire Valencian Community from six in the morning on Friday. The precipitations that are announced could leave more than 90 liters per square meter in just one hour and more than 180 in twelve hours.
At the moment, only the northern interior of the province of Valencia is saved from extreme risk, which will be on orange alert tomorrow for a significant risk of rains of more than 60 liters per square meter in one hour and more than 120 in twelve hours.
The special notice issued by the Aemet on the occasion of the passage of this DANA indicates that, today, the situation "more adverse is expected in areas of the southeast", where "very heavy showers and storms, even locally torrential" are expected , to which is added "another very adverse factor: the persistence of rainfall, with accumulations exceeding 200 l / m2".
According to this special notice, "Tomorrow Friday this situation is expected to continue, extending the special adversity to Valencia."
However, notes the Aemet, "we must take into account that small changes in the evolution of the DANA and in the wind regime could move the maximum rainfall to other areas" of those initially foreseen in the weather forecast in the Community Valencian Even so, maximum caution is requested in this extreme risk situation due to torrential rains.
Update 12th - Schools set to be closed again on Friday as the Red Weather alert is still in place for the Region. More bad weather is forecast for this evening and into Friday.
Update 11th - Benidorm Schools and sport activities will be suspended on Thursday 12th September.
Further to the red alerts in place for potential bad weather, the Benidorm Council has decided to close all teaching activities in the area along with sports in parks and sports facilities.
These measures will take effect at 6am on Thursday, September 12 and will remain until the same time on Friday morning, and may be extended depending on further weather alerts.
For its part, all Municipal Emergency Services, Civil Protection and Local Police are activated with their corresponding protocols for this type of situation, maintaining normal activity in the workplace..
Update 10th - The Laboratory of Climatology of the University of Alicante has reported that the gota fria, which is expected to arrive from tomorrow, could form a "Medicane" (Mediterranean Hurricane), which could affect the Alicante coastline - If this 'Medicane' is formed it could bring gusts of wind that could exceed 90/100 km / h.
The Climatology Laboratory recalls that " this is simply a forecast and that it may fall more or less depending on the path of the Gota Fria. It is a situation that can change at any time. Do not be scared, but stay alert, because the reality may be very different from what the forecasts indicate.
What is a medicane?
The Mediterranean Hurricane, better known as "Medicane" are Mediterranean hybrid cyclones and share traits with the tropical ones, they are similar since they have a warm core at medium levels or sea-air interaction, but the mechanism is different. In addition, its range is more limited than that of tropical cyclones, although sustained wind and gusts of "more intense medicanes can be compared to category 1 or 2 hurricanes."
Heavy Rains, as previously reported very heavy rains are also predicted throughout the province Wednesday and Thursday, with forecasts predicting that 100 liters per square meters could fall in the space of twelve hours in some areas.
Updates 9th September - Benidorm is taking these warnings very seriously and have closed part of the Avenida Mediterraneo today so that works can be completed on the anti storm tanks in the area.
Roads were closed from 4 pm today and will remain closed until some time tomorrow morning. Diversions are in place, one of these being Calle Gerona (food Street area) this is normally a pedestrianised area, but whilst this diversion is in place bars have been requested NOT to place tables and chairs out in the area.
During the weather alert , there will be an emergency brigade of the municipal technical services active 24 hours a day ie the Local Police, Fire, Civil Protection and the Emergency Coordination Center itself. Emergency telephone numbers can be found HERE
8th September - The weather forecast for Alicante and the rest of the Valencia region is not looking good for next week.
Daily Weather Report can be found here.
An area of isolated depression at high levels (DANA) is expected from this Monday, this is expected to move until it is stationed between the southeast peninsular and North Africa. The following days will bring heavy and intense rains in Catalonia, the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands.
This bad weather will significantly affect the Mediterranean area, with "strong rainfall, occasionally very strong, intense winds and rough seas, this may last for several days," according to a statement from the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet).
The heaviest rainfall is expected to fall on Tuesday in Catalonia and Wednesday in the Valencian Community (which includes Benidorm) and the Balearic Islands. Some areas of the Mediterranean Coast could see rainfall that could exceed 300 L / m2 (according to the European model).
Quite often Benidorm will miss the worst of the bad weather due to the protection of the surrounding mountains, with inland areas being hit the hardest.
Weather of this nature is often know as a Gota Fria translated to Cold Drop.
However, any small changes in the direction of the DANA and in the wind, could move the rain and high winds to other areas, so watch our weather reports for updates.
What is a Gota Fria?
Gota fría is the name given to the storms. These most commonly take place after the summer months (September and October) when the sea temperature is still high, but the temperature in upper airstreams suddenly drops. The warm air, saturated with water vapour, rises and cools too quickly when meeting the upper airstreams. The result is extremely intense rainfall, accompanied by high winds (up to 140 km/h), hail and thunderstorms.
These are experienced particularly along the western Mediterranean and affects the East Coast of Spain most frequently affects the east coast of Spain (although not limited to this area).
A gota fría is more intense on or close to the coast, and can be powerful enough to uproot trees.
In the Event of a Gota Fría
Expect extremely heavy rain, flash flooding, power cuts and no telephone reception.
How to prepare your home for floods
- Make sure the roof is clean and the drains are free of leaves
- Clear the outdoors areas and garden in the end of the summer (bring in furniture, garden tools and other moveable objects that might be blown or washed away)
- Swimming pools should be partly emptied, to avoid flooding
- Keep a couple of days’ worth of dry food and water, along with a torch, batteries and a radio in a high place where it can be quickly reached
- Important documentation and items should be kept at the highest part of the house
In the event of storms and flood
- Turn of the electricity
- Listen to local radio news, but avoid using the phone
- Be prepared to leave the house and go to a safe place if ordered by the authorities
On the road in floods
- Try to tune in to the local radio channel
- Prepare to drive towards higher locations
- Prepare to abandon the car and head to higher ground if the water levels begin to rise or if the car is stuck
- If the car is submerged in water, and it’s difficult to open the door, exit through the window without loosing any time
Avoid unnecessary danger:
- Stay on main roads
- Never cross flooded areas by car
- Watch out for loose electricity cables and falling objects, beware that tunnels and drains can be hazardous
- Never park on riverbeds
- Avoid driving after dark
Emergency Service Phone Numbers