The gray skies are here to stay. Atlantic storms will continue to bring rain to the peninsula, and Madrid will not be spared. The AEMET has reported that its monthly forecast anticipates a wetter than normal month in much of Spain, with heavy rainfall and saturated soils requiring extreme caution due to river flooding and occasional overflows, although these are unlikely in the Madrid region.
Far from a respite after January’s series of storms, the second month of the year will continue to be marked by the arrival of a string of Atlantic fronts, a fully wintery atmosphere, and slightly milder than usual temperatures.
“Rain where it has already rained a lot”
Editorial credit: Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies
The most worrying warning from the AEMET and meteorologists is that the new storms will hit precisely those areas where the ground is already saturated with water. “New Atlantic storms will bring heavy rainfall to areas where it has already rained heavily,” they summarize, warning of possible problems with melting snow when the rain falls on accumulated snow.
The balance since the start of the hydrological year (October 1) reflects 11% more rainfall than usual, with clear surpluses in the western third, the southern half, and areas of the east and the Canary Islands.
On the positive side, this pattern helps to recharge reservoirs and aquifers at a key moment in the hydrological year, which is particularly important after several years of drought in various river basins. However, the AEMET itself insists that, with the extra water falling precisely where it has been raining the most, authorities and citizens must be extremely vigilant in rivers, on hillsides, and in poorly drained urban areas so that a very rainy February does not also become a problematic February.