Red alerts lifted in Spain but more heavy rain in the forecast

Red weather warnings that covered several regions in south-east Spain have now been lifted - but more slow-moving downpours are expected over the next few days.

Amber warnings remain in force along the east coast from the south of Tarragona to just north of Alicante - as well as Ibiza, Formentera and parts of Majorca - with yellow alerts covering a wider area.

The severe weather is being driven by Storm Alice, named by the Spanish weather agency AEMET, which has been closely monitoring its development over the western Mediterranean in recent days.

Flights have been cancelled and the city of Murcia has already seen evacuations, with significant flooding in places.

The storm is expected to bring a total of 250-300mm (10-12in) of rain in some locations. Yellow warnings are in place on Sunday still from Valencia to the south of Tarragona.

The system is linked to a phenomenon known as a "DANA" - a Spanish meteorological term meaning Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos ("Isolated Depression in High Levels").

At times, the jet stream meanders like a snaking river, eventually breaking up and allowing pockets of cold air high in the atmosphere to detach from northern latitudes.

These circular or drop-shaped cold air masses often become slow-moving or stationary. As they rotate over the warm Mediterranean Sea, they create a highly unstable atmosphere.

This fuels intense thunderstorms and torrential downpours. In areas exposed to strong onshore winds, months worth of rain can fall in just a day or two, leading to dangerous flooding.

Inland and mountainous regions may also experience flash floods and mudslides as rain funnels down valleys and rivers.

Rainfall totals of 160 mm (6.3 in) were recorded in Valencia Province in just 24 hours. The uninhabited archipelago of Las Columbretes, near the coast of Castellón, recorded 188 mm (7.4 in) over the same period. Flash flooding has occurred in many areas.

Residents and visitors are being urged to stay alert, avoid flood-prone areas, and follow local warnings closely.

In October 2024, Valencia was hit by another much more powerful DANA leading to catastrophic flooding and and widespread destruction.

It was one of the most intense flood events in the region in a century. Over 200 people died.

Significant DANA events typically happen only once or twice per decade, with the most extreme cases occurring roughly every 20 years.

Click here to play 'Cooler than me?'