Storms in the north, heat in the south: Spain weather forecast October 20-23

There are some stark contrasts across the country this week

The outlook for this Monday afternoon

From Monday to Thursday, Spain will remain under the influence of Atlantic systems, bringing persistent rain and occasional thunderstorms to the northwest and northern regions.

Meanwhile, the southern and southeastern areas will see clearer skies and rising temperatures possibly back up into the 30s, with fog, strong winds and marked temperature contrasts affecting various inland and coastal zones.

Monday October 20

Predicted temperatures this afternoon

Much of mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands will be under the influence of Atlantic weather systems, with fronts bringing cloudy or overcast skies.

By the end of the day, high cloud will dominate over the southern half of the peninsula and Balearic Islands.

Rainfall will be most frequent and intense in Galicia, particularly in the west with possible thunderstorms later in the day and the possibility of locally heavy showers which could lead to significant accumulations.

Showers will be less likely and less intense further south and east, with little or no rain expected in the southeast.

In the Canary Islands, expect cloudy skies in the mountainous islands and partly cloudy conditions in Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

Daytime high temperatures are rising in the Mediterranean coastal areas and the Upper Ebro Valley, but falling elsewhere, especially the Cantabrian region and river basins flowing into the Atlantic.

Night-time lows will drop in the Cantabrian area and much of western Castilla, but rise elsewhere in mainland Spain and the Balearics.

Moderate westerly to south-westerly winds across most of the country and the Balearic Islands.

Tuesday October 21

A cloudy morning for most of the country

Mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands will remain under the influence of Atlantic weather systems, with further frontal passages bringing cloudy or overcast skies, mainly with low cloud cover.

Rainfall is expected, becoming less intense and frequent towards the south and east, but unlikely in the southeast.

In Galicia, on the other hand, rain will be persistent, with possible thunderstorms and heavy localised downpours. The skies in the Canary Islands are likely to be cloudy over the mountainous islands, with a chance of some rain, and partly cloudy elsewhere.

Daytime high temperatures will rise slightly, more noticeably in Cantabria. Night-time lows will rise in the eastern and southern Mediterranean coast and the northwest, but drop moderately elsewhere.

Moderate westerly or south-westerly winds across mainland Spain and the Balearics. Light winds in the northeastern interior.

Wednesday October 22

Maximum and minimum temperatures for Wednesday

Uncertainty increases regarding the exact position of weather fronts, but a strong westerly flow is expected to continue over mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands bringing in a humid subtropical air mass, leading to very cloudy or overcast skies.

Rain and showers with thunderstorms are expected from early in Galicia, with persistent, locally heavy rainfall which may result in significant accumulations. Nearby areas of Asturias and Castilla y León may also experience heavy rainfall.

Elsewhere may see scattered and less frequent showers, especially heading east, with the north potentially seeing the odd thunderstorm but little or no rainfall in the far southeast and Balearic Islands.

The Canaries can expect partly cloudy skies over the mountainous islands, with a chance of isolated light rain, and mostly clear skies over the eastern islands.

Temperatures should be rising overall, especially night-time lows in inland areas, where the increase could be more noticeable. Moderate south-westerly to westerly winds are expected across the mainland and Balearics.

Thursday October 23

A north/south divide

Great uncertainty remains looking this far ahead, but a weather front is expected to move across the northwest and northern third of mainland Spain. This would bring very cloudy or overcast skies with rain and thunderstorms, especially in the northwest.

Elsewhere on the mainland and in the Balearics, mostly cloudy skies are forecast with isolated showers possible in the Northern Plateau and Central System, but clearer skies expected further south.

The Canary Islands can expect partly cloudy skies with possible light rain in the western islands, cloudy intervals in the northern areas of the central islands, and clear or mostly clear skies in the eastern islands.

Maximum temperatures will probably drop in the northern third of the country, but will rise elsewhere, notably in the eastern Baetic ranges (southeast). Minimum temperatures are expected to rise in the northeast and Balearics, but fall in other regions, with little change in the Canary Islands.

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