Yahoo News Holidaymakers in Spain warned of 'mud rain' and stormy conditions at popular destinations
Brits soaking up the sun in Spain may be in for a surprise this week, as forecasters release amber and yellow alerts for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and even hail.
Spain's national meteorological authority Aemet has also forecasted the possibility of 'mud rain' across certain regions.
This unique weather event happens when Saharan dust in the air combines with rainfall, resulting in dirty precipitation. This is not an uncommon sight in Spain, frequently occurring when dust makes its way over from the Sahara, Morocco, and Algeria.
Holiday hotspots such as Marbella, Malaga and Almeria are amongst those expected to see the 'mud rain', particularly around the Alboran Sea area, south of Spain. Looking towards Thursday, August 29, Aemet predicts: "Light haze is likely in the centre and south of the peninsula and Alboran, so showers may be accompanied by mud. Morning fog is likely in the interior of the Cantabrian area and inland areas of Levante, the Balearic Islands and the Catalan coast."
Meanwhile, on the same day, large parts of Spain will be under yellow warnings for rain, thunderstorms and hail, spanning over central and northern regions. These warnings begin from the early hours of Thursday until midnight, with alerts about "hail and very strong gusts of wind locally".
In the north of Spain, some areas, including the region of Aragon, are also on standby with several amber warnings for rain and storms on Thursday afternoon, reports the Manchester Evening News.
According to Aemet, Thursday's forecast for Spain predicts: "Possible showers and thunderstorms, locally strong or very strong and accompanied by hail, in western Andalusia, areas of the southern plateau, large areas of the interior of the northern half and eastern Cantabria, with a significant drop in temperatures in these areas. They may be locally persistent in areas of the centre and inland northeast."
By Friday, all alerts are expected to end yet a few showers may persist in the country's north. No advisories are currently in place for either the Balearic or Canary Islands.
