All of Málaga province under yellow weather warning for rain and thunderstorms

Rain is once again shaping the start of the week in Málaga, with the entire province under yellow weather warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms this Monday. The timing and expected rainfall totals vary depending on the area, but unstable conditions are forecast across the province.

Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, continues to monitor the effects of Storm Adam after a weekend marked by locally intense rainfall.

For Monday, showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop unevenly across Málaga province, with rainfall totals of between 15 and 20 litres per square metre in one hour possible in some areas.

Some storms could also be accompanied by hail.

Málaga city, Costa del Sol and Guadalhorce under warning

One of the main areas affected is Sol y Guadalhorce, which includes Málaga city and much of the Costa del Sol.

The yellow warning remains active for much of the day due to the risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Rainfall could reach around 15 litres per square metre in one hour.

Storms may be highly localised, meaning conditions can vary considerably between nearby towns or even between different parts of Málaga city.

AEMET continues to forecast a very high probability of rain in Málaga during the morning, together with the possibility of thunderstorms.

Axarquía remains under close watch

The Axarquía is also under a yellow warning this Monday.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected, with rainfall potentially reaching around 15 litres per square metre in one hour during the most intense periods.

The area enters this new spell of unsettled weather after a particularly difficult weekend.

During the early hours of Sunday, AEMET temporarily raised the warning in the Axarquía to red because of the risk of exceptionally intense rainfall.

Significant amounts of rain fell in a short period across parts of eastern Málaga province.

Although the warning level is lower this Monday, extra caution is still advisable around streams, riverbeds and low-lying areas where water may accumulate quickly.

Yellow warning in the Serranía de Ronda until the evening

The Serranía de Ronda faces another afternoon of unstable weather.

The yellow warning will remain in place through much of the afternoon and into the evening.

Rainfall totals could reach around 20 litres per square metre in one hour, with thunderstorms also possible.

Ronda and other towns in the Serranía already experienced heavy rain over the weekend.

Previous episodes linked to Storm Adam brought notable rainfall to areas including Ronda, Cañete la Real and Cuevas del Becerro.

Antequera among the areas expecting the heaviest downpours

The Antequera area is another part of the province to watch closely during the afternoon.

The forecast includes rainfall totals of up to 20 litres per square metre in one hour, among the highest thresholds expected in Málaga province this Monday.

The warning is focused mainly on the afternoon and early evening.

As with other storm situations, rainfall may be very uneven, so neighbouring municipalities could record significantly different totals.

How much rain could fall in Málaga?

Expected rainfall thresholds vary depending on the area.

In general:

• Costa del Sol, Málaga city and Guadalhorce: up to around 15 litres per square metre in one hour.
• Axarquía: around 15 litres per square metre in one hour.
• Serranía de Ronda: up to approximately 20 litres per square metre in one hour.
• Antequera: up to 20 litres per square metre in one hour.

These figures refer to the thresholds linked to the weather warnings and do not mean that every municipality will receive the same amount of rain.

Storm showers can be highly localised.

What does a yellow weather warning mean?

A yellow warning is the first level in AEMET’s weather warning system.

It indicates low-level danger, although certain weather conditions can still cause problems in vulnerable areas or during particular activities.

During periods of intense rainfall, the main risks tend to be concentrated around:

• underpasses;
• roads with poor drainage;
• streams and riverbeds;
• flood-prone areas;
• dry channels;
• underground car parks;
• places where water can build up rapidly.

A yellow warning therefore does not rule out localised disruption.

Málaga comes into Monday after a very wet weekend

The province begins the week after several intense episodes associated with Storm Adam.

Significant rainfall totals were recorded in different areas over the weekend.

One of the places most affected was El Palo, in Málaga city, where very heavy rain fell during the early hours of Sunday.

Local reports recorded more than 120 litres during the episode in parts of the area, alongside dozens of rain-related incidents across the province, although no personal injuries were reported.

There were also incidents in Ronda and other inland municipalities.

The main risk: a lot of rain in a short period

More than the total amount falling over the whole day, one of the biggest risks in this kind of weather event is the intensity of rainfall over a very short period.

A thunderstorm can release a large amount of water in just a few minutes.

When that happens, drainage systems may struggle to cope, causing sudden pooling, local flooding or rapidly rising water levels in small streams.

This also explains why one area can experience problems while another location only a few kilometres away receives relatively little rain.

Hail also possible

Some of the thunderstorms forecast for Málaga may also produce hail.

This tends to be a highly localised phenomenon and is difficult to predict precisely.

Storms may also bring lightning and sudden changes in wind strength.

Anyone planning outdoor activities should therefore keep checking the forecast throughout the day.

Extra care when driving

Heavy rain can make road conditions particularly difficult.

Reduced visibility and standing water increase the risk of losing grip.

During intense rain, drivers should reduce speed, increase the distance from the vehicle ahead and avoid driving through flooded sections if the depth of the water is unclear.

Flooded streams, dry riverbeds or water-covered roads should never be crossed by car.

Watch streams and riverbeds

Málaga province has many streams and watercourses that remain dry for much of the year.

During episodes of intense rain, however, they can rise very quickly.

This is especially relevant in coastal areas and municipalities crossed by smaller channels.

After the heavy rainfall recorded over the weekend, caution is advisable even after the rain has stopped in a particular location.

Will it keep raining on Tuesday?

The forecast points to a gradual improvement after Monday.

Some cloud and instability may remain, but conditions are expected to become calmer on Tuesday.

AEMET’s outlook for Málaga suggests rainfall should become less widespread once this latest episode passes.

However, some showers may still occur during the transition.

A day to keep checking the forecast

The main feature of this weather episode remains its unpredictability from one place to another.

Heavy rain may affect one municipality while a nearby area receives much less.

Anyone travelling around Málaga province this Monday should therefore check the latest weather information before setting off and pay attention to possible updates from AEMET.

Warnings can be changed as the storm develops.

After a weekend in which Adam already brought very heavy rain to some parts of Málaga, the entire province is once again watching the skies this Monday.