Severe weather

Spain has issued red weather alerts across 11 regions after a powerful storm brought hurricane force winds of up to 168.5 km/h in Girona on Sunday, March 29, 2026. At least three people have been injured as flying debris and structural damage hit parts of Catalonia and the Basque Country, while authorities activated emergency plans including VENTCAT and PROCICAT. The impact is also being felt in the air, with flights approaching airports such as Alicante and Barcelona reporting severe turbulence and unstable landing conditionsWith ES-Alert messages sent directly to mobile phones, the 2026 storm has already forced the suspension of rail services and coastal maritime activity, as five-metre waves create “invisible” hazards along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.
Red alert in Catalonia as authorities warn against travel
Catalonia remains at the centre of the storm, where a red alert has triggered some of the strongest safety responses seen so far. Civil protection authorities have urged residents to stay indoors and avoid all unnecessary travel as conditions continue to worsen.Rail services have already been suspended in several areas due to safety concerns, and authorities have warned that roads may be closed at short notice as gusts increase the risk of falling trees, debris, and structural damage. The combination of strong winds and unpredictable gust patterns has made driving conditions particularly dangerous.
Along the coast, conditions are equally severe. Waves are expected to reach between four and five metres, creating hazardous conditions for maritime activity and increasing the risk of coastal incidents.
Storm impact already causing injuries and emergency response
The intensity of the storm is already being felt on the ground. In Girona, wind gusts have reached 168.5 km/h, among the strongest recorded during this event. Emergency services have reported at least three people injured after structures collapsed under the force of the wind. Authorities have also activated emergency response plans including VENTCAT and PROCICAT as conditions escalated, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the need for continued caution.Flights affected as turbulence hits aircraft approaching Spain
The impact of the storm is not limited to ground transport. It is now being felt in the air, particularly during the most critical phase of a flight: landing. Air traffic controllers have reported significant turbulence affecting flights approaching Spanish airports, where strong crosswinds and wind shear can destabilise aircraft during descent. These conditions are known to increase the likelihood of sudden drops, unstable approaches, and aborted landing attempts.
Updates circulating through aviation channels linked to ENAIRE include reports of a Ryanair flight travelling from Nottingham to Alicante encountering severe turbulence on approach. The incident has been widely shared through controller and aviation accounts online, with some suggesting that a member of cabin crew may have been injured. However, this has not been officially confirmed by the airline or authorities.What is confirmed is that wind events of this magnitude regularly affect flight stability during landing, even when operations continue as normal. For passengers, this means that while flights may not be cancelled, arrivals could be significantly more turbulent than usual.Why this storm is more dangerous than typical wind events
This weather system is being driven by strong pressure differences across the Iberian Peninsula, creating powerful and highly unstable wind patterns. Unlike steady winds, these conditions produce sudden gusts that can exceed forecast averages and create hazards with little warning. In northern areas, snowfall is also expected in mountainous regions such as the Pyrenees, with accumulations forecast that could further complicate transport and emergency response.Authorities have warned that the main risks extend beyond inconvenience. Falling objects from buildings and balconies, unstable structures, and debris carried by gusts all pose a real danger to public safety. Driving conditions may deteriorate rapidly, while coastal areas face additional threats from wave impact and strong onshore winds. Regional leaders have issued public warnings urging residents to remain cautious as the storm system continues to move across large parts of the country.What this means for residents and travellers across Spain
For those currently in Spain, the advice from authorities is: limit movement, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary risk. Residents are being urged to remain indoors where possible, secure any loose objects outdoors, and stay away from coastal areas where waves and wind combine to create particularly dangerous conditions.Travellers should also prepare for disruption. Flights into major coastal airports such as Alicante and Barcelona may be affected by turbulence during landing, while delays cannot be ruled out depending on how conditions evolve. Even in regions under lower-level alerts, including the Balearic Islands, sudden gusts can still create unpredictable hazards.
Is the system moving across Spain?Forecasts indicate that the most intense conditions will persist through Sunday and into early Monday, before gradually easing as the system moves eastwards. However, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, warning that conditions can change rapidly and that further alerts or restrictions may be introduced if necessary.